Top judge warns over impact of further cuts to Courts Service

The country’s top judge has warned the Government that any further cuts to the Courts Service could have a major negative impact on the operation of the justice system.

The chief justice, Ms Justice Susan Denham, said the Courts Service was already drawing up a contingency plan in case it is required to achieve further savings over the next two years.

However, she hinted that there was little room for further cutbacks without there being a consequent reduction in the number of court sittings as the Courts Service has already seen its non-pay budget drop by 28% since 2008.