The Chief Justice has taken the unusual step of speaking out against cuts to the Courts Service arguing if further savings are made court sittings may be effected.

In a speech to be delivered at the launch of its 2011 annual report around now, Ms Justice Susan Denham says the service is dealing with what might be said to be a ‘lion’s share of austerity’ and that certain cuts are arguably disproportionate compared to other Justice Agencies.

She highlights staff numbers have been reduced by 11% and that non pay elements of the budget have been slashed by 28% since 2008.

Helen Priestley is head of the Information Service at the Courts Service: