MoJ looks to close courts to reduce costs
MoJ looks to close courts to reduce costs
In a further consultation the MoJ is looking to reduce the HMCTS estate by closing one in five courts to reduce the current cost to taxpayers of approximately £500 million each year.
The closures were trailed by justice secretary Michael Gove in a speech last month – his first since coming to office. They are similar in scale to a closure programme announced in December 2010 which confirmed the shutting of 141 courts.
The proposals include the following closures:
- 57 magistrates’ courts
- 19 county courts
- 2 Crown courts
Integration will involve two magistrates' courts, 11 county courts, 2 Crown courts, 15 tribunal hearing centres and 1 combined court.
