Legal experts have warned the government to learn from past mistakes when drawing up plans for new-style community courts.
On Monday, home secretary David Blunkett confirmed that details of a pilot, based on a model that has been used successfully in the USA, would be unveiled in the next few months.

The government wants community courts to become "one-stop crimebusting shops", complete with courtroom and base for criminal justice and social services, so that offenders can have access to drug treatment services.

But the Law Society has called on the government to remember the failed night court pilots. Introduced in London and Manchester last year, they were supposed to combat street crime but were abandoned after six months due to spiralling costs and doubts about effectiveness.

A spokeswoman said: "We urge the government to allow for adequate checks on proposed reforms to ensure they are relevant and workable."

Source

Housing Today