Following full public consultations on proposals to close 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts in
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly has also announced that £22m will be reinvested to improve and modernise the courts to which work will transfer as a result of the closures. Within this are three large projects: in
The government considers that many of the existing 530 courts many do not meet the needs of modern communities and that their number and location does not reflect recent changes in population, workload or transport and communication links.
Mr Djanogly said:
“Access to justice is not just about access to buildings. It is about the type of justice delivered, decent facilities for victims and witnesses and efficient use of the system.
“Our court estate has simply not kept pace with the changing nature of our society or with the demands modern society places on our justice system. An estate of over 500 court buildings is not now necessary or sustainable, nor is it a reasonable expense for the taxpayer.
“We are closing the worst courts in the estate – so we can concentrate our limited resources on the best ones. We are investing in the court estate with new buildings and with refurbishment of facilities.
“We have listened to the significant points made by respondents to the consultation. As a result we have decided not to close 15 courts that were included in the consultation.
“There will be longer journeys for some to their closest court but we should not operate courts just to shave minutes off a journey that many will never need to make.”
The government estimates that savings of £41.5m will be realised across the spending period as a result of the closures, together with a possible £38.5m from the sale of assets. Fewer buildings will reduce maintenance bills and there will be efficiency savings as justice agencies focus their attendance at a single accessible location within a community.
The financial climate has meant that plans to build a new magistrates’ court in
Affected courts are as follows:
North West:
Magistrates’ courts: Northwich, Southport, Knowsley, Whitehaven, Penrith, Rawtenstall, Salford,
County courts: Northwich, Southport, Penrith, Runcorn, Whitehaven, Rawtenstall, Chorley,
Retained: Bury County Court
North East:
Magistrates’ courts: Guisborough, Bishop Auckland, Tynedale, Alnwick, Blaydon, Gosforth, Houghton Le Spring, Goole, Selby, Batley And Dewsbury, Keighley Magistrates’ Court sitting At The Bingley Court House, Pontefract.
County courts: Bishop Auckland, Consett, Goole, Pontefract, Keighley, Dewsbury.
Retained:
Magistrates’ courts: Barry, Aberdare, Llwynypia, Ammanford, Cardigan, Llandovery, Denbigh, Pwllheli,
County courts: Chepstow, Aberdare, Rhyl,
Retained: Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court,
Midlands:
Magistrates’ courts: Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, Rugby, Stoke, Tamworth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ilkeston, Newark, Retford, Coalville, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Towcester, Daventry, Rutland.
County courts: Rugby, Stourbridge, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Newark, Worksop, Melton Mowbray, Wellingborough, Grantham, Skegness, Tamworth, Oswestry, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Evesham, Redditch, Burton-Upon-Trent, Kidderminster.
Retained:
South West:
Magistrates’ courts: Frome, Bridgwater, Liskeard, Camborne, Totnes, Honiton, Penzance, Blandford Forum, Wimborne, Coleford, Cirencester,
County courts: Cheltenham, Penzance, Trowbridge,
Retained: Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court, Stroud Magistrates’ Court.
South East
Magistrates’ courts: Grays, Epping, Ely, Wisbech, Thetford, Cromer, Swaffham, Sudbury, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Epsom, Woking, Mid-Sussex, Lewes, Bicester, Hemel Hempstead, Witney, Amersham, Didcot.
County courts: Ashford, Gravesend, Haywards Heath, Epsom, Huntingdon, Harlow,
Retained:
Magistrates’ courts: Acton, Haringey (Highgate), Harrow, Sutton, Barking, Brentford,
County courts: Ilford.
Retained:
