Law and Rights
A very large number of court buildings will be closed across both England and Wales. Today, a consultation was issued by Ministry of Justice in conjunction with Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service and it puts a case for closure of a further 57 Magistrates' Courts, 19 County Courts, 2 Crown Courts, 4 tribunal hearing centres and 9 combined courts.
Proposal on the provision of court and tribunal estate in England and Wales
The consultation runs from 16th July to 8th October. There is little doubt in my mind that these buildings WILL close unless some exceptionally good case can be advanced for keeping a particular court. Whilst the Secretary of State (Mr Gove) spoke to the Justice Committee about courts being within an hour's travel for the public, this consideration will not count for much when set against the Treasury imperative of saving money. In fact, in some parts of the country, the hour - even by car - is but a pious hope! No part of the country seems to escape this axemanship.
Here are just three of the potential victims .....
A previous Secretary of State for Justice / Lord Chancellor - Kenneth Clarke - commented about court locations reflecting "how far it was reasonable for a man to ride a horse" - The Guardian 2nd July 2010
They will soon be much further away for many than that with all the additional stress that will entail for members of the public required to attend whether as defendants, litigants in civil cases, witnesses etc. There is comment in the consultation about using other public buildings to maintain access to justice. The extent to which that is feasible remains to be seen.
The Secret Barrister 17th July - Bozo the Clown and the Court Closures
- More Axemanship On Court Locations ~ The Demise Of "local" Justice
Kenneth Clarke (a former Secretary of State for Justice) once commented that courts did not need to reflect "how far it was reasonable for a man to ride a horse". Numerous court locations have been closed and further court closures will take place...
- Her Majesty's Courts And Tribunals Service And Tribunal Structure
On 1st April, an important change came about with the merger of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) (formed in 2005) and the Tribunal Service (formed 2006). The new body, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, is "Her Majesty's...
- A Unified Judiciary ... And Why Not Use The Local Town Hall ...
The government is planning to bring the tribunal judiciary in England and Wales under the overall leadership of the Lord Chief Justice. This will be in addition to the planned merger (by 1st April 2011) of Her Majesty' Court Service and the...
- Justice Buses Are Not The Answer To Court Closures ....
The Guardian 27th August carried an article "Justice buses are not the answer to court closures". Ideas such as "courts" sitting in shopping centres and on converted buses have been popping up recently. For many practical reasons, this is...
- The Axe To Be Taken To Some 157 Courts
The Ministry of Justice, recognising the present financial climate, is keen to axe to some 157 Court locations. The majority are Magistrates' Courts but over 50 are County Courts. On 23rd June a series of consultation papers were published...
Law and Rights
Axeing the Court Estate
Proposal on the provision of court and tribunal estate in England and Wales
The consultation runs from 16th July to 8th October. There is little doubt in my mind that these buildings WILL close unless some exceptionally good case can be advanced for keeping a particular court. Whilst the Secretary of State (Mr Gove) spoke to the Justice Committee about courts being within an hour's travel for the public, this consideration will not count for much when set against the Treasury imperative of saving money. In fact, in some parts of the country, the hour - even by car - is but a pious hope! No part of the country seems to escape this axemanship.
Here are just three of the potential victims .....
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| Kendal |
 |
| Shrewsbury |
 |
| Stockport |
A previous Secretary of State for Justice / Lord Chancellor - Kenneth Clarke - commented about court locations reflecting "how far it was reasonable for a man to ride a horse" - The Guardian 2nd July 2010
They will soon be much further away for many than that with all the additional stress that will entail for members of the public required to attend whether as defendants, litigants in civil cases, witnesses etc. There is comment in the consultation about using other public buildings to maintain access to justice. The extent to which that is feasible remains to be seen.
The Secret Barrister 17th July - Bozo the Clown and the Court Closures
- More Axemanship On Court Locations ~ The Demise Of "local" Justice
Kenneth Clarke (a former Secretary of State for Justice) once commented that courts did not need to reflect "how far it was reasonable for a man to ride a horse". Numerous court locations have been closed and further court closures will take place...
- Her Majesty's Courts And Tribunals Service And Tribunal Structure
On 1st April, an important change came about with the merger of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) (formed in 2005) and the Tribunal Service (formed 2006). The new body, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, is "Her Majesty's...
- A Unified Judiciary ... And Why Not Use The Local Town Hall ...
The government is planning to bring the tribunal judiciary in England and Wales under the overall leadership of the Lord Chief Justice. This will be in addition to the planned merger (by 1st April 2011) of Her Majesty' Court Service and the...
- Justice Buses Are Not The Answer To Court Closures ....
The Guardian 27th August carried an article "Justice buses are not the answer to court closures". Ideas such as "courts" sitting in shopping centres and on converted buses have been popping up recently. For many practical reasons, this is...
- The Axe To Be Taken To Some 157 Courts
The Ministry of Justice, recognising the present financial climate, is keen to axe to some 157 Court locations. The majority are Magistrates' Courts but over 50 are County Courts. On 23rd June a series of consultation papers were published...