A MAJOR shake-up of the schedule at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court is on the horizon - raising fears it could be earmarked for closure.

The move has prompted two leading criminal defence solicitors to speak out about the potential short and long term affects it could have on the Kendal-based court.

And South Lakes MP Tim Farron has also written to the Ministry of Justice asking them to confirm the long term future of the court is secure.

Suzie Kavanagh and Rachel Broughton, who work for Milne Moser, based on Highgate, Kendal, fear the changes are the start of a slippery slope that will end with the court's closure and all cases being sent to Barrow instead.

"We are concerned it is a continuing watering down of the provision for justice in this area and a continuing reduction of services in favour of Barrow," said Ms Broughton.

"Victims have the right to listen to defendants' case and if that's in Barrow then they are going to be less able. It will be the loss of an important public facility."

Ms Kavanagh added: "It is scary about what the future holds, not just as a defence lawyer but as a member of the public.

"There is going to be this beautiful building sat there with nothing in it for the majority of the week."

The changes have been out to consultation since late January. They are due to come into effect on April 1. The consultation was produced by the HM Courts and Tribunal Service, an arm of the Ministry of Justice, on behalf of the Cumbria & Lancashire Judicial Business Group.

Changes include:

l Non CPS cases such as RSPCA and SLDC will be once per month. At present, it is twice per month

l Trials will now be held every other Tuesday, but no offenders from custody, who instead will be sent down the A590 to Barrow

l Criminal court to be held every other Wednesday, instead of weekly. It will be split into two courts of guilty and not guilty pleas, where a District Judge will sit

l Trials remain every Thursday, but custody cases will again be sent to Barrow

l Moving youth court from Monday to Friday and cutting the number of sittings from every fortnight to once a month

l There will also be only one family court, once a month

Ms Broughton re-iterated it was more important than ever for defendants to seek advice as soon as possible because the workload of duty solicitors is likely to increase massively.

"It's an example of justice changes and cutbacks that really mean people who are accused of crime need to be on top of their representation early," she said.

"There is going to be quite a gap from when a person is charged with an offence and appearing in court. That gap is designed to encourage defendants to seek out solicitors so they are warned in advance of a hearing to deal properly with the issues.

"If they don't do that then the duty solicitor on the day is going to be under a great deal more pressure."

An HM Courts & Tribunals Service spokesperson said: “Listing of court cases is a judicial function.

"Decisions about magistrates' court listing in a particular area fall to the local Judicial Business Group and will take account of changes in workload, in order to make the most effective use of resources and facilities."