Court closures in the works

‘Accessibility’ has a wider meaning than simply access to physical buildings, the Civil Justice Council (CJC) has said.

Responding to the government’s ‘Consultation on proposals on the provision of court and tribunal estate’ this week, the CJC urged it to ensure a minimum percentage of court users rather than ‘nearly all’ can attend a court hearing and return home in one day. Further consideration should be given to the cost and reality of public transport, it said. For example, people in rent arrears or single parents on benefits should not have to spend substantial amounts of their income on travel. Early morning starts might also prove difficult due to awkward timetables, traffic or gaps in the service.

Currently, the government is proposing to close eight different court centres, including two county court ones.