By Robert Wilkinson

The government has opened a consultation on its proposal to close down 91 courts and tribunals throughout England and Wales.

The government claims the identified courts are underused, often operating at around 50% of their capacity, and there is the potential to save the taxpayer £500million by making the proposed closures.

Insofar as family work in London and the South-East is concerned, the courts facing threat of closure are:

  • Bow County Court
  • Aylesbury Family Court
  • Bedford Family and County Court
  • Dover Magistrates Court
  • St Albans County Court

Many of these courts have already had their family work substantially reduced, and the impact of further closures will be the focus of the consultation.

For full details of the consultation process, and to participate, you can download the consultation paper, click here: Court Closure Consultation.

 

Courts MOJ Robert Wilkinson