Court Closures - Campaign briefing paper from The Law Society
This briefing suggests how law firms, local law societies and practitioner groups can lobby decision makers with their concerns around the proposed closure of court services across England and Wales. You should be aware that at the national level, the Council of the Law Society has decided not to campaign against the program of court closures. The Council's decision was taken in the light of the pressure to reduce public expenditure, and it believes that cuts in the court estate would be less unacceptable than cuts in the scope and eligibility for legal aid or the provision of legal representation funded by legal aid.However, the Society has received informal indications that the Ministry of Justice may be willing to reconsider proposals for the closure of individual courts if a very strong and sound case can be made. The closure of 103 Magistrates' Courts and 54 County Courts is estimated to save £15.3 million in running costs annually and avoid incurring £21.5 million on maintenance costs. Within total expenditure budgets at the Ministry, this is small beer: reducing the amount of savings to say £12 million by reversing the proposed closure of 30 of the courts may be acceptable to the Government. However, the Government will need to persuaded by particularly strong cases if it is to be diverted from its proposed closure programme.
Click here for further details and suggested letter/further lobbying
