Concerns access to justice will suffer in Tasmanian north-west
Access to justice in Tasmania's north-west would be severely affected by the closure of the Magistrates Court in Smithton, the Tasmanian Law Society says.
Lawyers were told the court would no longer sit in Circular Head because of budgetary pressures.
The Justice Department hoped to save the $20,000 it spent yearly renting the privately owned court building in Smithton.
Justice Minister Vanessa Goodwin said it was one of the most expensive courts in the country to run.
"The Magistrates Court's decision to cease a monthly circuit court sitting at Smithton comes as a result of the high expense of the Smithton sittings and the lack of suitable locations following the expiry of the lease of the current sitting venue," she said.
However, the Law Society was worried other regional court circuits including Burnie, Queenstown, St Helens and Scottsdale could also be cut.
President Anthony Mihal said a lack of transport options would result in more defendants failing to appear in the Burnie court and being taken into custody in Launceston or Hobart.
"I have no doubt that the modest saving that will be made by the court will be far exceeded by the cost to Corrections and Tasmania Police," he said.
Mr Mihal was also concerned that the cuts could extend to the Supreme Court in Burnie.
"As a result of the budgetary pressures that have been brought to bear on the Magistrates Court my view is that more of these remote court circuits will be cut."
Ms Goodwin said the Justice Department was liaising with Tasmania Police to ensure a smooth transition.
"I do not agree with the Law Society's proposition that the savings made will be outweighed by police costs," she said.
