'Court's shake-up will hurt city links

A major shake-up in the legal system could weaken links between Bradford Magistrates Court and the community, a leading lawyer said today.

Justices' Clerk David Chandler has liaised with the police, community groups and Bradford Council for the past nine years while carrying out his legal duties in the district.

But now he is retiring due to new national guidelines aimed at streamlining the management in courts - and he fears the change could damage relations with the community.

At present, five justices' clerks, each with a deputy, operate in West Yorkshire but this looks likely to be reduced to one central post before the end of the year.

Mr Chandler said: "On many occasions during my nine years I have gone to community groups, such as the Crime and Disorder Partnership, to talk about the role of the courts and answer questions about any concerns.

"Now that will depend on the person who's responsible for the whole of West Yorkshire, and my concern is that they're not going to come to Bradford because they'll be tied to a central job."

Under the new system Bradford will still have a district legal director acting as a representative for the yet to be appointed justices' clerk for the county.

He will work alone, however, which Mr Chandler thinks will rule out his chances of getting involved in the community element of his job.

Despite those concerns, he is confident the re-organisation will not affect court work.

"I don't think there will any disadvantages as far as the courts go," he said."It will not affect the legal process."

Mr Chandler, 59, was a former president of the Justices' Clerks' Society, following in his father's footsteps.

After 30 years the father-of-two from Brighouse now plans more holidays, to try scuba-diving and work on his 1953 MG. He hopes to continue to be involved in training magistrates.