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Magistrates' courts should be given powers to send criminals to prison for longer periods, the Lords has heard.
Former law lord, Lord Lloyd of Berwick said the measures would allow more work to be dealt with in magistrates' courts.
He made his call during question time on Monday as peers discussed government plans to save money by closing courts.
Lib Deem peer Lord Phillips of Sudbury asked what assessment the government have made of the effects on local justice of the closure of magistrates' and county courts and of holding such courts in multi-purpose buildings, such as town halls.
Crossbencher Lord Lloyd said: "The more work we can channel into the magistrates' courts, the better. Why do we not consider now raising their jurisdiction limit from six months to 12 months imprisonment?"
Magistrates can currently only impose a six-month prison term for a single offence.
Justice minister Lord McNally said that he took note of Lord Lloyd's concern.
The Lib Dem peer said: "One of the objectives in the government's review of sentencing, which will be published shortly, is to ensure that a proper volume of work goes through the magistrates' courts."
Labour's Baroness Smith of Basildon highlighted the issue of victims of crime having to travel further distances to court if some were closed.
She said: "Are you aware of the number of cases that are adjourned because somebody does not turn up at court. Therefore a victim of crime may have to attend court two, three or four times before their case be heard.
"What assessment has the minister made of the financial, let alone the emotional, cost of a victim returning to court several times."
In response, Lord McNally said that it was something the government was looking at "very carefully". He added: "One of things the Lord chancellor is looking at is the almost casual ease with which adjournments are agreed to.
"One of the things we want to see in the magistrates' courts as well as good justice is efficient and quick justice."
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