A FORMER chairman of the York Bench has called for proposed legal changes to be properly funded, as she retires at the end of 34 years in court.

Barbara Scott OBE has sat in judgement on family, juvenile and adult cases at the law courts in Clifford Street since 1967.

On her last day in court, the public gallery was packed with colleagues, solicitors and others to say goodbye to her and two other retiring magistrates.

In her farewell speech, Mrs Scott welcomed Government-initiated proposals to make sentencing in some cases more community-centred, saying she had supported such moves for 30 years.

"It is absolutely essential that someone, somewhere accepts that there will be money enough for this tremendous change in the sentencing process," she said.

And she added that the York Bench will always accept the need for change.

"I believe new people will continue to make York a lively Bench which will always be liberal," she said, referring to future justices of the peace.

Mrs Scott served some years as chairman of the Bench.

Holders of the position are elected by fellow magistrates and serve a set term in office.

The current chairman, Dr Peter Hogarth, paid tribute to Mrs Scott's work and her involvement in the University of York. She was awarded the OBE three years ago.

He also paid tribute to Lady Gillian Barron and Mary Denison who are also retiring. Both became magistrates in 1978 and between them, the three women have sat in judgement for 80 years.

Lady Barron was the only magistrate to join the York Bench in 1978.

Mrs Denison joined the Bulmer East bench and when that was abolished the Easingwold Bench.

When the Easingwold court closed, she joined the York Bench.

Senior justices clerk David Brown said the trio's experience could not be replaced and would be greatly missed.

Lady Barron retires later this year, Mrs Denison in the New Year.

Updated: 11:11 Tuesday, November 27, 2001