Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you today to launch Her Majesty's Courts Service. We are all delighted you could be here.
This is an historic event for the courts, and indeed for everyone with an interest in justice, and above all for the public who depend on the justice system.
It is significant and right that the new organisation is to be called Her Majesty's Courts Service. The effective delivery of real justice is one of the defining characteristics of the modern, civilised society that we enjoy in Britain. That justice must be independent, objective, free of prejudice, fear or favour. By adopting this title we establish our commitment to these values.
And, as servants of the Crown, I know everyone working in HMCS is dedicated to the delivery of efficient and effective public services. Committed to serving our users - members of the public who have to come to court in whatever capacity, and assisting all our judges including Magistrates to uphold justice on behalf of us all.
The establishment of Her Majesty's Courts Service marks the culmination of much hard work, by all of the individuals here today, and of course by the many thousands of judges, including magistrates and staff across the country who couldn't be here today. I am pleased that Lord Justice Auld, whose review in 2001 recommended a unified criminal court, can be here today. He is the architect of HMCS.
It marks the start of a new future for the provision of court services in England and Wales. A single administrative framework for all tiers of court save the very highest, and all types of court - the civil courts, the family courts, and all the levels of criminal courts. Allowing, for example, family cases to find their right level.
Our Court system is a beacon for the world. The creation of HMCS allows all of us - Judges, court staff, politicians - to rededicate ourselves to the delivery of a justice system that serves the people and protects the rule of law.
Your Majesty, thank you for allowing this day to be so special.