Police in Merseyside, England, have arrested a district judge and six court clerks and a solicitor in connection with allegations of corruption.
A Liverpool solicitor was also arrested in connection with the inquiry, which centre on Magistrates courts on Merseyside.
Police and the Merseyside Magistrates Court Committee confirmed that staff had been suspended but refused to name any of those involved.
Mr Malcolm Marsh, chief executive of Merseyside Magistrates Court Committee, said: "This morning Merseyside police arrested six court clerks employed by Merseyside Magistrates Court Committee in relation to allegations of corruption.
"All the allegations, I understand, relate to the activities of a local solicitor who has been arrested today.
"Any allegation of corruption is a grave and serious matter but particularly for our organisation, as we have such an important part to play in the criminal justice system."
There are 40 courts in seven court houses on Merseyside, which deal with more than 90,000 defendants a year and employ a total of 60 court clerks who serve as legal advisers to magistrates.
PA
