Case gets closed at 5 pm when ALS/Capita contractor fails to attend
It appears that they have a new way of dealing with ALS worker no-shows in Kent. When the clock struck 5 pm, the Magistrates dismissed the case.
For the accused their punishment was multiple revisits to court. The case file is now closed so the interpreter requirement ends.
It is not clear if the cancelled requirement for a 'linguist' is then marked by ALS as a "cancellation by client", resulting in a bill to the Ministry of Justice via the service provider's Procurement Card.
The only remaining issue is how much the solicitors will get in Wasted Costs Orders. And who will pay for that?
This new practice came to light in a report filed by an observer in Folkestone. Details will be made available to the MoJ on request
