Plans to close local courts and sell off the land for house building will have serious consequences, according to Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead.
In its Autumn Statement the government confirmed it will close courts in Redhill and Reigate among others across the country. In future, cases will be heard in Guildford or Staines.
Chris Blockey, court desk coordinator at Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead, said:
“Closing the courts is very worrying for local access to justice. Court users including claimants and defendants who can’t travel long distances will be seriously disadvantaged.
“Losing local centres for justice will make the community poorer. We hope the government will think again. If they go ahead they must provide a realistic alternative way of hearing cases locally.”
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.