London's first community justice court opens

London's first community justice court, set up to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, has no dock or witness box.

At its Thursday sessions a member of the Drugs Intervention Programme is on hand to help offenders who have drugs and alcohol problems.

Specialists from organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Benefits Agency are available to provide defendants with advice over the phone.

And mediators from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Services can be brought in to solve civil matters.

But despite the informality and expert assistance, the community justice court is anything but a 'soft option' for offenders.

Based at South Western Magistrates' Court near Clapham Junction, it deals with offences committed in Wandsworth's Roehampton and Putney wards. Left is a picture of Roehampton's Ashburton Estate, which is plagued by crime and anti-social behaviour.

The initiative, overseen by the London Criminal Justice Board, involves agencies working in partnership with local support services and community groups to combat criminal and anti-social behaviour.

South West London Prosecution Service's Sonia Chakrabarti acts as CPS London's lead prosecutor at the court, which opened in October 2007.

She is one of a team of five prosecutors and one designated caseworker - a non-lawyer who can present certain cases - serving the court, which deals with offences ranging from non-possession of a driving licence to murder (but not minor driving offences).

Sonia, pictured left outside the court, said it was the increased level of engagement with defendants and communities that constituted the main difference between prosecuting at the community justice court and a general magistrates' court.

As well as presenting the cases Sonia takes part in pre-hearing meetings and carries out risk assessment to ensure the safety of victims and witnesses.

"The aim of community justice courts is to tackle the root cause behind offending rather than simply punishing it to halt the cycle of re-offending," she explained.

"It is important that any punishment or penalty gives consideration to the community and benefits the people who have suffered as a result of the crime."

This can involve 'community payback' work, where offenders tackle problems identified by the local community, such as removing rubbish from the streets and repairing and improving playgrounds.

Two other London boroughs - Haringey and Newham - opened community justice courts earlier this year.