From January 2017 there will be no local court service in Reigate & Banstead.
Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service yesterday confirmed the closure of Redhill Magistrates’ Court and Family Court and Reigate County Court and Family Court.
In a parliamentary statement justice minister Shailesh Vara explained the government’s commitment to a modern courts estate in the interests of all court users.
We applaud the minister’s aim. And we accept the need for efficient use of all resources.
But at Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we fear the loss of local justice will reduce the status of our borough, disadvantage its citizens and impoverish the community.
In recent months we’ve made the case for retaining courts in Redhill and Reigate. In our response to the government consultation we used the experience of our volunteer advisers and court officers to show why local justice matters so much to vulnerable people.
But in our sizeable and fast-growing borough we want justice to have a true local presence on behalf of everyone. We now hope the minister will discuss how to fill the gap in our civic life with us and the many others who share our disappointment.
Justice needs a home.