CUMBRIA ranks among the top five areas in the country for the swift handling of court cases coming before magistrates.

The speed at which cases were processed improved by 30 per cent over the previous year, according to the annual report of the Cumbria Magistrates' Courts Service.

The 1999/2000 service was also delivered more cheaply than the previous year despite inflation of three per cent.

Other highlights include:

m Dealing with Persistent Young Offenders more quickly than all but four other areas of the country.

m Collection of at least 80 pence in every pound of fines imposed or maintenance due.

m Installation of a major computer network across the county.

m Effective collaboration with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and defence solicitors to introduce a fast track system for processing cases.

m Conduction of a major public consultation exercise on the future of rural courthouses in Cumbria.

Magistrates' Courts deal with about 98 per cent of all criminal matters and are responsible for the transfer of the remaining two per cent to the Crown Court.

In Cumbria there are 321 magistrates drawn from the local community, each sitting an average of 40 times a year.

They are not paid for their services but are entitled to claim expenses.

A total of 115 members of staff include legal advisers, administrative staff, court ushers and court enforcement officers.

In 1999-2000, the Cumbrian courts collected almost £3 million in fines as well as maintenance payments.

The Justices' chief executive, Simon Evans, said: "Through the efforts of more than 320 committed lay magistrates and our staff, the Cumbria Magistrates' Courts Service has made significant progress this year, both in terms of the provision of a speedier local justice system, but also in contributing to the aims of the system on a national scale."

l Cumbria Magistrates' Courts Service is leading the way in meeting the Government's pledge to deal with persistant youth offenders in 71 days or less.

For the quarter April to June 2000, the Cumbrian courts achieved an average of 53 days - the best in the country.

The Justices' Chief Executive, Simon Evans said: "This announcement is testimony to all the hard work court staff and magistrates have done, in association with the police, CPS and youth offending teams in Cumbria."