Consultations are being held on the closure of 21 underused and inadequate courts in several regions of England.
Services will continue to be provided by alternative magistrates' courts in each area.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the changes would help to deliver a more modern justice service that puts the needs of victims and witnesses first while providing best value for taxpayers.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said:
'Going to court should not place undue stress on victims and witnesses of crime. We have made significant improvements to the facilities for these court users.
'However, many of the courts that we are consulting on closing do not have suitable facilities for victims and witnesses; in addition a number of the buildings do not allow adequate access for disabled court users. I do not believe it would provide good value for money to bring these buildings up to the required standard at the taxpayers’ expense.
'I am keen to hear the views of court users and other interested parties; the consultation exercises will allow them to express their views on the proposals.
'I will make a decision on how to proceed after consideration of those representations.
'Together these proposals set out a positive step forward to ensuring that Her Majesty’s Courts Service provides sufficient accessibility whilst directing and prioritising its resources to where they most matter for the communities it serves.'
Her Majesty’s Courts Service is also seeking the views of court users on future provision of magistrates’ courts in London. A discussion document, taking into account the possibilities presented by virtual courts, is published today.
Following an earlier consultation the decision has also been taken to close Nelson County Court in Lancashire.
Proposed court closures in the Midlands
Proposed court closure in the North East
Proposed court closures in the North West
Proposed court closures in the South East
Proposed court closures in the South West
London discussion paper
© Crown copyright material reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland
