One fifth of courts in England and Wales to close
updated on 24 February 2016
The government has announced the closure of 86 courts across England and Wales - almost one fifth of all courts and tribunals in the country.
The closures are part of the government’s austerity policy. Some 10 courts in London alone will shut, while the BBC reports that 10 out of 11 courts that were under threat of closure in Wales will cease to exist. Meanwhile, the Law Society has produced an interactive map showing how the court closures have fallen nationwide. While the closures are expected to save government spending on the justice system, it is almost certain that they will also further reduce access to justice for ordinary people.
Jonathan Smithers, president of the Law Society, said: "We are disappointed that the government is pressing ahead with the closure of so many courts. The majority of these closures will make it more difficult for a significant number of people to get to court, disproportionately affecting people living in rural areas, those with disabilities and lower income families. Combined with increases in court fees and reductions in eligibility for legal aid, many of the closures will serve to deepen the inequalities in the justice system between those who can and cannot afford to pay."
