In our pursuit of efficiency in the lower criminal courts, have we lost sight of quality justice? Through the critical examination of original stenographic data, this book demonstrates how an English Magistrates' courthouse often pursued managerial efficiency to the detriment of social justice and procedural due process values.

Given that these courts process more than 95% of all criminal cases, this ‘over-efficiency’ problem has the capacity to cause significant social harm. Yates’ work concludes by providing socio-legal and criminological readers with ways to fix this over-efficiency problem. This accessible work is of value to policy makers and post-graduate students alike.

“It’s said that justice delayed is justice denied but can justice be too speedy? This timely book suggests defendants’ rights are being sacrificed on the altar of magistrates’ court efficiency." Penelope Gibbs, Transform Justice

“Yates delivers a timely and informative text surrounding the quality of justice in the magistrates’ court and the constant quest for efficiency through plea bargaining and the rise of managerialism.” Ed Johnston, University of Northampton

Shaun S. Yates is course leader for the Criminology and Law BA at London Metropolitan University and currently serves as the university’s Crime Challenge Champion Lead.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: The Modern History of Summary Justice Efficiency

Chapter 3: Speed-Focused Managerialism

Chapter 4: Standardized Defendant Processes

Chapter 5: Court Users’ Procedural Adversity

Chapter 6: Overcoming Over-Efficiency

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