Pop-up Courts For Speeding Fine Cases

Motorists who wish to challenge their speeding fines will be forced to attend new “pop-up” courts that will temporarily open in their own neighbourhood. These are the plans currently being considered by ministers.

The Proposals to be put forward for roving magistrates who will hold court hearings in village halls and community centres. Magistrates could sit for two days per month in a civic centre in one town in an area before moving to other locations on other days, he said. A court clerk, officials, one or two magistrates and a police officer would be able to set up a temporary court in a town or village hall. The move is designed to end the requirement for all defendants charged with low-level offences to attend a central court building. 

Mike Penning, the Conservative minister behind the plan, believes it would force people to think twice before challenging speeding tickets and other low-level penalties if they are faced with having to argue their cases in public in their own neighbourhoods.

The percieved benefits include

• Community justice - allow residents in an area to see justice being done
• Save money by reducing the backlog of cases at magistrate

Mr Penning said he had “a very open mind” about the potential offences which could be dealt with by roving magistrates in this way, adding that the plan was expected to be put to a formal public consultation.