Shropshire Star

Magistrates could refuse to back Shropshire court closure plan

Magistrates today warned they may refuse to back a plan to close one of Shropshire's main courts.

Published
Shrewsbury Crown Court

Concerns have been raised that the closure of Shrewsbury Magistrates Court will restrict access to justice.

The Ministry of Justice wants to close the Shrewsbury court, based at Preston Street, with the town's crown court being moved into the vacant building from its current base at Shirehall.

If the plan is approved the only magistrates court in the county would be in Telford.

Robin Durham JP, Chairman of the Shropshire Branch of the Magistrates' Association, today warned his colleagues were concerned about the impact of the changes.

He said: "In recent years five small courthouses have been closed in Shropshire market towns. Since these closures took place, the two remaining magistrates' courts - one in Shrewsbury, one in Telford - have continued to provide an effective service for the whole county. The Association will wish to be convinced that that can continue with only a single magistrates' court.

"Shropshire magistrates also sit, on occasion, in Shrewsbury Crown Court. The proposal to keep the crown court in Shrewsbury, by moving it into the current magistrates' court building in Shrewsbury, would be consistent with retaining access to justice in our county. The challenge would be to ensure that a single magistrates' court would in practice be able to do likewise."

He said that the association had not yet received the responses from all of the county's magistrates but would be considering the impact of distance on people who attend court.

He said: "Locally and nationally access to justice is a major issue. As local magistrates our views will reflect the fact that Shropshire is geographically large, has a widely dispersed population, and long journey times and distances affect many people who come to court."

A consultation on the future of the court runs until October 8.

The proposal also recommends that Telford County Court and Family Court is integrated within Telford Magistrates Court in Telford Square. Should Shrewsbury Magistrates Court close, HM Courts and Tribunals Service propose to convert it into a crown court with two courtrooms, one multi-functional hearing room, cells and wheelchair lift.

A Ministry of Justice document states: "The current crown court building in Shrewsbury is no longer fit for purpose and the lease expires in September 2016.

"Facilities on site do not provide separate accommodation or entrance for vulnerable victims and witnesses, and it does not provide separate defence and prosecution waiting rooms. The courtrooms are of a poor standard and the roof leaks during periods of heavy rainfall.

"Should the closure go ahead it is proposed that the workload be transferred to Telford Magistrates Court. The move would provide increased flexibility with the throughput and listing of cases and improve courtroom utilisation, which is currently low."

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