PRESS RELEASE 01 December 2015
Courts closures: local justice at risk.
The government has re-stated its plans to close courts in Redhill and Reigate. Confirmation to press ahead came in last week’s Comprehensive Spending Review.
Land released by the closures will be sold off for house building. Cases will be transferred to Staines or Guildford.
Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead says closing the courts will put justice at risk and have serious consequences for communities in East Surrey.
Chris Blockey, court desk coordinator at Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead, said:
“Closing our courts is very worrying for local access to justice. Court users including claimants and defendants who can’t travel long distances will be badly disadvantaged.
“Losing local centres for justice will impoverish our communities in all kinds of ways. We hope the government will think again. If they go ahead they must provide a realistic alternative way of hearing cases locally. As yet we have heard nothing about how the gap will be filled.”
Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead submitted a detailed response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on court closures in September. The Ministry has yet to formally publish the outcome to the public feedback.
For more information contact: Barrie Clarke, Research and Campaigns Coordinator, Citizens Advice Reigate and Banstead: randc@randbdcab.org.uk
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Citizens Advice Reigate and Banstead
A registered charity – No. 1104970
24 Cromwell Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1RT.