1.14 The Department recognises that the design of a best business process model should normally come before seeking an IT solution. The Department does not have the authority, however, to impose business process change on the independent Magistrates' Courts Committees. A major programme of voluntary amalgamations was agreed between the Department and the Magistrates' Courts Committees resulting in significant organisational change. Of the original 105 Committees, 79 were involved in the amalgamation process, with the bulk of the amalgamations taking place between 1999 and 2001. The Department's objectives were then to maintain and improve service and not to attempt further major change until a national IT service had been implemented.
1.15 The Department told us that Magistrates' Courts Committees' priority was to have their ageing IT systems replaced. Whilst they recognised the need and advantages of a national standard IT system, they insisted that their local management independence should be retained. They consistently maintained their right to operate independently and indicated that they were the best arbiters of how their businesses ought to be run.