Solihull Magistrates’ Court faces closure

The government is consulting on plans to close 91 courts and tribunals in England and Wales – including Solihull Magistrates’ Court.

The aim is to reduce what Justice Secretary Michael Gove has identified as “surplus capacity”.

Courts under threat include 57 magistrates’ courts, 19 county courts, two crown courts, four tribunal hearing centres and nine combined courts.

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service currently operates 460 courts and tribunal hearing centres.

There has been no criminal cases at Solihull Magistrates’ Court for some time – they are all heard at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

In a written statement, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for courts and legal aid, Shailesh Vara, said the service’s estate was “underused” and cost the taxpayer about £500m every year. He also said better access to justice could only be provided if “difficult decisions” were taken to reduce the cost of the estate and reinvest the savings.

He added: “Last year over a third of all courts and tribunals were empty for more than 50% of their available hearing time.

“The buildings being consulted on represent 16% of hearing rooms across the estate which are, on average, used for only a third of their available time.

“That is equivalent to fewer than two out of five days in a week.

“Technology such as video, telephone and online conferencing would reduce the need for face-to-face hearings, which should be reserved for the most sensitive or complex cases.”

Mr Vara said that after the changes, more than 95% of citizens would still be able to reach their required court within an hour by car.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks until 8th October – for further information: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/proposal-on-the-provision-of-court-and-tribunal-es/user_uploads/reform-estates-national-consultation_official-sensitive_final.pdf