Concerns have been raised as to whether Derby Crown Court is to continue to deal with cases from the very north of the county.
Questions seemed to have arisen following some matters from the Buxton and Glossop, being heard at Stockport or Thame side magistrates courts, from where they are committed to Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.
The fact that the residents of Chesterfield, Dronfield, and even bak well, would find it easier by far to get to court in Sheffield rather than Derby has raised an issue as to whether cases being heard in the chesterfield magistrates court ought to be directed across the county line to the Crown Court at Shalesmoor in Sheffield.
Once upon a time it was unheard of for cases to be sent to a crown court out of county unless there were very unusual geographical circumstances, such as those who would see cases from Aberystwyth being heard in Swansea. Now that the dam has been broken, the concern seems to be that there would be a free for all with cases moving not all only between countries and also between crown court circuits.
Once upon a time the belief was that jurors should come from the locality in which offences were said to have been committed. As the global village grows nearer and counsel and defendants regularly appear by way of video link the importance of local knowledge seem too be diminishing.
In case it be thought that the Derby crown court might be a victim in this war for work, it should be said that in recent times defendants have been sentenced by Derby Judges over the video link from places as far apart as Iraq and Southern Spain.
We watch with interest the decisions being taken on high but wish to remind everyone that whether the case is being heard in Chesterfield, Bakewll, Buxton, Dronfield, Claycross, Matlock, Afretton, or anywhere else in the county of the dark and white peak there will be a Johnson Parnership Solicitor available to help. Don't hesitate to call our derby office on 01332 370473, our Chesterfield office on 01246 520930, or our Sheffield office on 0114 2611555.