The aim is to let magistrates deliver 'simpler, speedier justice'

Minor motoring, TV licence and council tax offences could all be dealt with by mail rather than in the courts.

It means that millions of offences could be removed from the court system and fines imposed by letter.

The magistrates' courts plan, designed to cut JP workloads, suggests dealing with non-attenders in their absence.

'Process too complex'

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, is due to publish a White Paper - Supporting Magistrates' Courts To Provide Justice - on Monday.

Offences in spotlight Driving licence, MoT and road tax - 1.1 million offences, 2003 TV licence evasion - 120,352 sentenced in 2004/05 Non-domestic rates - 400,000 summonses in 2003/04 Council tax - 4 million summonses in 2003/04

"This paper sets out where we will be taking forward further reforms - many of them based directly on the ideas and suggestions from magistrates, district judges and court staff," he said.

"This needs to be a platform from which we deliver simpler, speedier justice for our communities. Cases take too long to come on. The process is too complex.

"We need to help magistrates to deliver for the law-abiding citizen."

Costly disruption

The White Paper will also clarify employers' duties to allow time off for those who wish to become magistrates.

However, despite proposing changes to the way some road offences can be dealt with, ministers are not proposing to remove cases against motorists who have driven without insurance.

This is because it is thought to be a serious offence with broader implications.

The paper says those who refuse to attend court create "costly disruption" and can now expect to be sentenced in their absence unless they have a good reason.