A FAST track scheme for dealing with minor offenders which has been piloted in Lancashire is set to be adopted nationwide.

A government bill to allow the new system to be used in magistrates' courts throughout England and Wales has had its second reading.

The key changes, which were also tried out in Gloucestershire, resulted in major time savings when they were adopted in Lancashire's courts.

The average time from offence to sentence was cut from 139 days to 84 while the number of adjournments was also dramatically reduced, with the average number of hearings cut from 3.15 to 1.22.

Magistrates' court cases previously experienced lengthy delays because more than a third of defendants did not respond to court summonses.

Other hold-ups were created while people decided whether to plead guilty or not guilty and whether to appear in person or have the case dealt with in their absence.

Under the new system, police send a witness statement with the summons to the individuals who committed the offences. Those who fail to respond can be tried anyway at the first hearing, avoiding lengthy and repeated adjournments.

The bill also allows for driver and vehicle licensing printouts to be used automatically when defendants fail to produced their driving licence to the court for motoring offences and also allows courts to disqualify drivers without the need to substantiate evidence on oath.

Justice Minister Geoff Hoon said: "Not surprisingly, all the criminal justice agencies involved in the pilot scheme have indicated their clear support for the proposals set out in the bill which free up valuable resources while reducing a very considerable proportion of the routine administrative burdens borne by all those concerned with processing minor motoring offences.

"Although a modest piece of legislation, The Magistrates' Court Procedures Bill is nonetheless significant in its potential to remove unnecessary burdens from many of those working in magistrates courts, the police and probation offices.

"It will also lead to a reduction in delay in the magistrates courts."

Peter Wells, deputy clerk to the justices at Blackburn, said the new system had been beneficial.

He said: "The majority of these cases are now dealt with at the first hearing, so it saves you having to issue adjournment notices.

"The Government obviously feel it has been a success if it is to be introduced nationwide."

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