"Reprieve" for Mayor’s and City of London but 142 courts to close
City lawyers were celebrating this week after the Ministry of Justice announced the Mayor’s and City of London County Court is not one of 142 courts selected for closure.
The “outstanding” court was the subject of a staunch campaign by an influential group of litigators after it was targeted for closure in June. The Mayor’s & City Court users committee—composed of solicitors who regularly use the court—championed the quality of service provided, low staff turnover and its unique self-funding mediation scheme. By contrast, the committee said, other central London courts can be “highly inefficient and ineffective”.
David Greene, chair of the committee and partner at Edwin Coe LLP, says: “This is a very welcome reprieve.
“The users committee made out a strong case supported by the judiciary that the court should be saved from closure.”
He describes the court as “effective, efficient and forward looking in its provision for mediation”.
Four other county courts have been saved from the original proposals— Bury, Barnsley, Skipton and Llangefni.
In total, 93 magistrates’ courts and 49 county courts across England and Wales are to close. The court estate currently amounts to 530 courts.
Ten magistrates’ courts have been saved—Newbury, Harlow, Newton Abbot, Stroud, Waltham Forest, Catering, Spalding, Worksop, Skipton and Abergavenny.
Abergavenny was highlighted by Lord Justice Goldring in October as evidence of “significant errors” in the consultation paper. It was earmarked for closure on the basis it has not been used since 1999. In fact, it had been re-opened following refurbishment in July 2010.
Plans to build a new magistrates’ court in Liverpool have been cancelled.
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly told Parliament this week that the closures would save an estimated £41.5m, while a further £38.5m could be realised from the sale of assets.
He said £22m of capital would be used to improve the courts to which work will transfer. These include three large projects at London’s Camberwell Green, Staffordshire’s Newcastle-under-Lyme and Wales’ Prestatyn magistrates’ courts.
Keir Starmer QC, director of public prosecutions, supports the proposals. “We believe a smaller number of magistrates court centres will bring greater efficiencies and make savings,” he says.
