Staff at magistrates courts across Greater Manchester are due to go on strike in protest over an 'unworkable' IT system. Legal advisors and court associates are expected to walk out later this month in response to the Common Platform project, which is said to have cost £300 million.
The system, which has been rolled out to magistrates courts across the country and is now also being introduced in crown courts by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), is aimed at modernising how the results of court cases are recorded. But the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents court staff, claim that court bosses are 'ignoring the evidence', and that the system is 'detrimental to the delivery of justice'.
The BBC previously reported that court staff found that information had disappeared in the system, or that it had changed from what staff had correctly inputted. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said: "We’ve been left with no choice but to call strike action. Managers are ignoring the evidence in front of them – that Common Platform is simply unworkable.
READ MORE : Heartbreaking tributes left for man, 26, killed by falling tree
"It’s adversely affecting our members’ health and their ability to do their jobs and is detrimental to the delivery of justice. HMCTS managers should listen to our members and stop the roll out immediately."
Members of the union are due to walk out from October 22 to 30. The courts set to be affected include Manchester magistrates court, Tameside magistrates court, Stockport magistrates court and Wigan and Leigh magistrates court.
Legal advisors provide a key function in the magistrates court, offering support to magistrates who are not legally qualified. A spokesman for HMCTS said: "Common Platform is fundamental to modernising the court system – replacing out-of-date systems and freeing up court staff for other vital work.
"We will continue to work closely with staff to support them through this transition – including listening to their views on the pace of roll-out – and want to thank all the judges, court staff and others who have contributed to its design and implementation."
It is the latest industrial action to hit the criminal justice system. Barristers were on strike all summer in protest over Legal Aid fees, the scheme which pays them for defending people in court who can't afford to fund their legal fees.
The industrial action was suspended on Monday after it was announced a deal had been agreed with the government.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
