Court closures in Suffolk - "an attack on access to justice"
As part of a wide-ranging cut in provision of court facilities, and the closure of 86 courts across England and Wales, the Lord Chancellor has agreed that:
- Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court and Family Court will close once suitable local provision has been established, and is currently scheduled to happen between between July and mid-September. Magistrates' Court business will be conducted in Ipswich and (to a lesser extent) Norwich, while Family Court hearings will move to Triton House in the town, or to Cambridge.
- Bury St Edmunds Crown Court will close outright, since it is currently unused and Ipswich Crown Court can be used instead.
- Lowestoft Magistrates' Court, County Court and Family Court will close outright, in the first tranche of court closures, with public-facing activities scheduled to be withdrawn by June 16. Work will move to Great Yarmouth, Ipswich and Norwich.
Respondents to the consultation for both Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds were overwhelmingly opposed to the closures, raising particular concerns over Suffolk's poor transport links and the resultant impact on access to justice if courts are not held locally.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service argues that new digital technology and video conferencing capability means that the need for court attendance will diminish in the future, and that money is better spent in enhancing digital access (and improving facilities in remaining courthouses) than in maintaining the current provision.
Helen Korfanty, recently selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Police & Crime Commissioner in Suffolk, is a Duty Solicitor in Magistrates' Courts and Police Investigation Centres, and specialises in Criminal Law and Family Law. She knows the system well, and is very strongly opposed to the closures. "We should continue the fight to save Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds Courts. We should not despair."
With the courts' emphasis on remote video communication as an alternative to physical access, Helen also notes that the digital technology needed to implement this will require enhanced facilities at both ends of the remote link. She is adamant that the costs of any resultant technology enhancements at police stations must be met by the government, and not be passed down to the individual police force.
Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called the widespread court closures "an attack on access to justice".
Sources:
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service: "Response to the proposal on the provision of court and tribunal estate in England and Wales" https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/499518/national-consultation-document.pdf [accessed 14 Feb 2016]
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service: "Response to the proposal on the provision of court and tribunal services in the South East region" https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/499808/se-consultation-response.pdf [accessed 14 Feb 2016]
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service: "Potential implementation dates" https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/499521/national-proposed-implementation-dates.pdf [accessed 14 Feb 2016]