A DEPARTING district judge took a side-swipe at the current court administration in Lancashire which he said was dictatorial and aloof.

Jonathon Finestein, who is moving to Salford, called for consultation and not confrontation and urged management to listen to the "dedicated staff" working at the sharp end of the court service.

And in his parting speech, Mr Finestein also gave his support to defence solicitors recently criticised by Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

Speaking at a Blackburn magistrates' court Mr Finestein praised the legal advisers working in courts throughout the county who he described as highly skilled and professional.

"There is so much talent in the service in Lancashire and people who could assist in its smooth running if they were given the chance," said Mr Finestein. "I hope that our court clerks are not confronted but consulted and they can play a part in the development of the service.

"There are too many dictates and too much thou shall and thou shall not under the present regime," said Mr Finestein. "I hope my successor has more success than I have had in directing the provision of legal services in the country away from its very centralised position.

"We all know there have got to be changes but traditionally it has always been achieved by compromise and consultation and not by direction."

Referring to Mr Straw's recent criticism of criminal lawyers and the amounts they can earn under the legal aid system, Mr Finestein said those who work in the courts on a daily basis know what really goes on.

"There may be a few bad apples but the majority of defence solicitors work very hard for nothing like the rewards that the public perceive," said Mr Finestein. "In my experience, over nine years of working in Lancashire, there is no question of solicitors playing the legal aid system." Mr Finestein praised the court staff, particularly ushers who he described as the unsung heroes, Group Four and the probation service and thanked everyone for their support over the years.

Margaret Shuttleworth, chairman of the Blackburn bench, said she and her lay colleagues throughout the country were grateful for the support they had received from Mr Finestein over the past 12 months, which had been particularly stressful.

"We feel you have been particularly supportive of the voluntary service in the difficult period," said Mrs Shuttleworth.

Eddie Harrison, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Mr Finestein would be a hard act to follow and would be missed by everyone.

Basharat Ditta, for the defence solicitors, thanked Mr Finestein for being fair to solicitors and defendants.

"You have administered justice fairly and I know for a fact that many people in the dock have taken notice of your warnings and advice," said Mr Ditta.

Mr Finestein has been replaced by Paul Firth, who previously sat at Liverpool magistrates' court.

Idrif Moorby, justice chief executive for Lancashire courts refused to comment on Mr Finestein's speech.