Government accused of 'undermining access to justice' with closure of seven more courts in England

Ministry of Justice says buildings to be shut are 'underused, dilapidated or too close to another court'

Blackfriars Crown Court is among seven building to be closed (PA)

The government is closing seven more courts in England to save money, despite warnings that the move will “undermine local access to justice”.

Labour accused ministers of “sneaking out” the announcement amid a slew of reports on the last day before parliament breaks up for the summer.

But the Ministry of Justice said it had consulted the public before deciding to axe courts that are “underused, dilapidated or too close to another”.

Banbury Magistrates’ and County Court, Blackfriars Crown Court, Chorley Magistrates’ Court, Fleetwood Magistrates’ Court, Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court, Northallerton Magistrates’ Court and Wandsworth County Court are to be closed and sold.

Yasmin Qureshi MP, Labour’s shadow justice minister, said a public consultation had “been a smokescreen to drive through yet more court closures”.

She added: “These closures will undermine local access to justice and have a negative impact on victims and witnesses.

“It is completely unacceptable that the Conservatives have sold off hundreds of courts and sacked thousands of courts staff with the excuse that it is modernising our courts system.

“Instead of sneaking these closures out on the last day before parliament breaks for the summer, the Conservatives should halt all the planned court closures until its wide-ranging courts reform programme has been properly debated in parliament.“

The Ministry of Justice found that 41 per cent of court and tribunal buildings were used for less than half of their available time in 2016/17, that there was excess court capacity, with some of the estate in poor condition or deemed too close to another court building.

A spokesperson said potential closures were balanced against ensuring access to justice, delivering value for money and long-term efficiency.

Around £108m has been spent on improving ageing court buildings and £115m raised from sales so far.

David Gauke, the lord chancellor, said: “All money raised from the sale of these buildings will be reinvested into the justice system, and we want to reassure communities that those affected by closures will have access to alternative courts.

“We must ensure we use public money effectively and make decisions in the best interest of the wider justice system.”

Cambridge Magistrates’ Court was saved from the axe following local outrage after it was named in consultation documents in January.

Campaigners, backed by their local Labour MP, argued they should not be forced to travel to Huntingdon or Peterborough and that the building – which recently underwent an £18m refurbishment – should instead be sued to its full potential.

The Ministry of Justice said it had received “new evidence suggesting that closure would not provide sufficient value for money”.

The closure of Northallerton Magistrates’ Court is being delayed until video facilities are made available in the town for people unable to undertake lengthy journeys to York, Harrogate, Skipton or Teeside.

Officials said public transport was cut for the “exceptionally rural community” it serves in North Yorkshire during the consultation process and acknowledged that it will be “more difficult for some users in some areas to get to court, especially for early morning starts”.

Local leaders condemned the decision to push ahead with the closure and raised concerns elderly, disabled and rural residents would be disproportionately affected.

The government says it is investing £1bn in modernising courts and tribunals, including an online system to prepare and access case files, paperless fare evasion penalties in London, and online divorce applications, small money claims and pleas for minor motoring offences.