Government plans to extend magistrates’ operating hours into evenings and weekends could increase the diversity of the magistracy, but should not be carried out at the expense of daytime sitting, according to the chair of the Magistrates’ Association.

John Thornhill told the Gazette that justice minister Nick Herbert had discussed with him plans to consult on proposals to open magistrates’ courts in the evenings and during the night, and to extend weekend sittings.

The proposals stem from the response of the criminal justice system to the summer riots. Courts sat through the night to deal with those arrested and many cases were dealt with in a matter of hours.

In a speech to police chiefs last month, Herbert said: ‘Swift justice is currently the exception, but it should be the rule.’

Thornhill said some magistrates would welcome evening and weekend sittings.

‘The move may increase the diversity of the magistracy as it will enable younger people to sit in the evening after returning from work,’ he said.

But Thornhill voiced concern that the plans could increase costs by requiring court staff, prosecutors and probation officers to attend out of hours.

And he added: ‘I don’t want to see evening courts... replacing daytime courts.’

The courts service said it is to evaluate double-shift sittings that have been operating at Croydon Crown Court, as well as review the response to the riots.