If the proposals are given the go-ahead, it will be replaced with a new Justice of the Peace court.

Three months of consultation were announced on Monday with the aim of having the new court in operation by February next year.

The district court is currently run by Falkirk Council, but, as part of law reforms, the new Justice of the Peace court will come under the control of the Scottish Court Services (SCS).

The consultation involves all the district courts in the sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife.

It is claimed the changes will give a unified and improved service.

Although the SCS is proposing the court in Falkirk, which is situated in the council's municipal buildings, would continue to operate there, it would eventually relocate to the sheriff court in Camelon when the building has been adapted.

Similar moves are planned for Perth and Stirling, while the Justice of the Peace courts will remain in the district court buildings in Arbroath, Dundee, Forfar, Cupar and Kirkcaldy. Alloa and Dunfermline courts would move immediately into the sheriff courts in both towns.

Eleanor Emberson, SJS chief executive, said: "Essentially, our proposals for the Tayside, Central and Fife Sheriffdom are based on the principal to co-locate, wherever possible, the new Justice of the Peace courts within adapted sheriff court buildings in the same towns and cities.

"This has the advantage of providing integrated services, a single contact point for all court users and a greater clarity in terms of management and accountability for court services."

Justice of the Peace courts are already operating in Lothian and Borders and Grampian, Highland and Islands. Consultation is also under way in Glasgow and Strathkelvin.