PFI : The Laganside Courts - Northern Ireland Court Service

The Laganside complex of 16 new courts opened in 2002, replacing in one building the 19th-century Crumlin Road Court and a number of other sites.

It deals with Crown and county court business, and also incorporates Belfast and (the now closed) Newtownabbey magistrates' courts.

The PFI contract to design, build, finance and operate the complex was issued in 1999 to Consul Services Ltd.

The contract is for 25 years, at a cost of 40 million pounds.

The NAO investigation finds that the modern building meets all operational needs, though some problems remain.

It notes that some of the compensation levels through failed performance targets and non-availability abatements are rather small.

Overall, the procurement process was handled well, though the nominal public sector comparator to show value for money could be questioned. NAO recommend or comment: swift resolution of the remaining problems with the building; performance monitoring should be kept under review; the payment mechanism must be agreed and tested before service delivery begins; public sector comparators are subject to inherent uncertainty; the Service should have in place an agreed negotiating strategy if the deal is refinanced.