Since 2010, a total of 162 out of 323 magistrates’ courts have closed in England and Wales – meaning a loss of just over half of the court estate, The Guardian has reported.
The closures have forced court users to travel distances of over 50 miles to access justice.
The most recent closure was Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court in prime minister Theresa May’s constituency. Most have been sold.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has now confirmed that it is considering whether to pay for taxis to transport defendants and witnesses from outlying areas to court hearings.
A distance model has been developed by HMCTS that requires 95% of court users to able to arrive for hearings within a two-hour window, using public transport.
Three-hour journey
It also says that 98% of the population should be able to reach court by 10.30am, meaning a three-hour journey starting at 7.30am.
The House of Commons’ Justice Committee has questioned whether online video hearings are a sufficient substitute for attendance in person in court.
A total of £223 million has been raised since 2010 from the sale of court estate buildings, including crown courts, county courts and tribunals.
Digital upgrades
Digital infrastructural upgrades must be funded by one-third from the sale of court estate buildings, as remote video links are developed for court hearings.
The closures have been justified on the grounds that crime rates in Britain are falling and many courthouses operate at 40% capacity.
John Bache JP, national chair of the Magistrates Association, told the Guardian: “Justice should, wherever possible, be administered locally and, with half of all magistrates’ courts having closed since 2010, many courts are already worryingly remote from the communities that they serve.
Recruitment of magistrates
“A more dispersed court estate will affect the retention and recruitment of magistrates, as some will have to step down if their local court closes, and people will be less likely to apply in the first place if the nearest court is not in their immediate area.
“Longer travel distances for magistrates will also increase the cost of meeting their travel expenses.”