Closure of Hammersmith Magistrates' Court Confirmed
Ministry of Justice 'land grab' slammed by Law Society and MP
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Hammersmith Magistrates' Court is one of two in London set to close by the end of this year.
Announcing the plans, the Ministry of Justice said it was facing a repair bill of £1.8 million for the Hammersmith court in Talgarth Road and a second court in Camberwell Green, and added that selling the sites would release much-needed funds for investment in the justice system.
The decision brought immediate criticism from Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter, who called it "outrageous" and "simply a land grab" and accused the Ministry of disregarding its own public consultation held last year.
He said: "Predictably the Government has ignored its own consultation exercise and decided to go ahead with the closure of Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court – despite the fact that over 90% of respondents were against the closure.
"There are no operational reasons for closing this modern, accessible and well used court. It is simply a land grab by the Ministry of Justice to make a profit by selling off the site.
"Coming on top of the proposed closure of the job centre, post office and police stations in the Hammersmith & Fulham, this represents a major disinvestment in public services. I am deeply disappointed but not surprised by this latest attack on essential facilities in the borough."
You can read response in full on his website.
The Law Society also slammed the decision, with president Robert Bourns saying: "This decision is ill-considered given government has carried out a no more than cursory assessment of the impact on access to justice of the very recent closure of 86 courts across England and Wales, including 10 in London.
"And it is just extraordinary the government would close Camberwell Green magistrates’ court less than a year after it spent so much public money making it fit for 21st century justice.
"We support government efforts to improve court efficiency through better use of technology, as was being introduced in Camberwell Green. However, the modernisation process will take time. It cannot fill the immediate gap created by each court closure. Every time a court is closed further pressure is placed on those courts, personnel and judiciary that remain.
"No matter who you are, no matter where you live, everyone in England and Wales must be able to access legal advice and the justice system."
At the launch of last year's consultation, Hammersmith and Fulham Council described the proposals as "a further blow to law and order in H&F", coming months after Hammersmith County Council was shut and most services were axed at Fulham Police Station.
February 15, 2017
