3.11 The Auld Report identified differences in practices, procedures, management and culture of the criminal courts to be confusing, divisive and inefficient. Different courts often have different forms and procedures for court users. Organisational boundaries between different court services form an institutional barrier to the effective management of the courts. Wide variations exist in the performance of different Magistrates' Courts Committees.
3.12 The Department recognises as a long-term aim the standardisation and improvement of business processes across magistrates' courts. It considers that such changes should be addressed once the unified agency is in place and operating successfully beyond April 2005.