Molesworths Solicitor quoted in MoJ’s response to Court Closure Consultation
Date online: 22/02/2016
On 16 July 2015 the Ministry of Justice announced a consultation on proposals to close 91 courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Over 2,100 separate responses were received, along with 13 petitions containing over 10,000 signatures.
Molesworths Solicitors in Rochdale believe that the impact of Court Closures in Greater Manchester and Lancashire will affect Access to Justice - and have always campaigned for local courts to remain open.
Molesworths Solicitor, Richard Mason, one of the 2,100 who responded to the Consultation process, was quoted in MoJ’s response to the Court Closure Consultation.
Richard Mason said “The projected savings should be considered with reference to previous rounds of court closures. It should not be forgotten that many of the buildings remain unsold. The proposals appear to minimise the immediate increase in costs that will result from court closures including lease break costs, IT decommissioning etc Also the options set out in the assessment are extremely limited ie do nothing or close court buildings” (Richard Michael Mason, Rochdale Solicitor - Molesworths.)
The full report can be seen here:
In response to the Consultation the Lord Chancellor did decide to retain some of the courts which he had initially earmarked for closure.
Unfortunately, however, a decision to close the following local courts has now been made, with closures expected to take place in phases:
Trafford Magistrates’ Court and Altrincham County Court (Closure Feb - Jun 16)
Tameside County Court (Closure Feb - Jun 16)
Oldham Magistrates’ Court (Closure Jun - Sep 16)
Oldham County Court (Closure Apr - Jun 17)
Bury Magistrates’ Court and County Court (Closure Jan - Mar 17)
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