The government has announced plans to close up to 103 magistrates courts and 54 county courts across England and Wales.

Yesterday, justice secretary Kenneth Clarke opened a public consultation on the plans, which he says could save £15.3m a year in running costs and £21.5m on maintenance costs.

Government agency Her Majesty’s Courts Service currently runs 530 courts, and says some of these are surplus to requirements and not fit-for-purpose.

It has published a full list of courts that are up for possible closure (see bottom of page). Among the county courts now being consulted on are Salford (pictured), Cheltenham, and Ashford.

The department has also confirmed the decision to close Leigh County Court following an earlier consultation.

Courts minister Jonathan Djanogly said: “‘When public finances are under pressure, it is vital to eliminate waste and reduce costs. The government is committed to supporting local justice, enabling justice to be done and seen to be done in our communities.

“The arrangements we have are historical and now need to be re-assessed to ask whether they properly meet the needs of communities as they are today.”

North West

Magistrates’ courts:
Northwich Magistrates’ Court, Southport Magistrates’ Court, Knowsley Magistrates’ Court, Whitehaven Magistrates’ Court, Penrith Magistrates’ Court, Rawtenstall Magistrates’ Court, Salford Magistrates’ Court, Rochdale Magistrates’ Court.
County courts;
Northwich County Court, Southport County Court, Penrith County Court, Runcorn County Court
Whitehaven County Court, Rawtenstall County Court, Chorley County Court, Salford County Court, Bury County Court.

North East

Magistrates’ courts:
Guisborough Magistrates’ Court, Bishop Auckland Magistrates’ Court
Tynedale Magistrates’ Court, Alnwick Magistrates’ Court, Blaydon Magistrates’ Court, Gosforth Magistrates’ Court, Houghton Le Spring Magistrates’ Court, Goole Magistrates’ Court, Skipton Magistrates’ Court, Selby Magistrates’ Court, Batley And Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court, Keighley Magistrates’ Court Sitting At The Bingley Court House,
Pontefract Magistrates’ Court.

County courts:
Bishop Auckland County Court, Consett County Court, Barnsley County Court, Goole County Court, Skipton County Court, Pontefract County Court, Keighley County Court, Dewsbury County Court.

Wales:

Magistrates’ courts:
Barry Magistrates’ Court, Aberdare Magistrates’ Court, Llwynypia Magistrates’ Court, Ammanford Magistrates’ Court, Cardigan Magistrates’ Court, Llandovery Magistrates’ Court, Denbigh Magistrates’ Court, Pwllheli Magistrates’ Court, Flint Magistrates’ Court, Chepstow Magistrates’ Court, Abertillery Magistrates’ Court, Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court, Llangefni Magistrates’ Court.

County courts:
Chepstow County Court, Aberdare County Court, Rhyl County Court, Pontypool County Court, Llangefni County Court.

Midlands

Magistrates’ courts:
Halesowen Magistrates’ Court, Sutton Coldfield Magistrates’ Court, West Bromwich Magistrates’ Court, Rugby Magistrates’ Court, Stoke Magistrates’ Court, Tamworth Magistrates’ Court, Ludlow Magistrates’ Court, Market Drayton Magistrates’ Court, Oswestry Magistrates’ Court, Ilkeston Magistrates’ Court, Newark Magistrates’ Court, Worksop Magistrates’ Court, Retford Magistrates’ Court, Coalville Magistrates’ Court, Market Harborough Magistrates’ Court, Melton Mowbray Magistrates’ Court, Spalding Magistrates’ Court, Towcester Magistrates’ Court, Daventry Magistrates’ Court, Rutland Magistrates’ Court, Kettering Magistrates’ Court.

County courts:
Rugby County Court, Stourbridge County Court, Stratford-Upon-Avon County Court, Newark County Court, Worksop County Court, Melton Mowbray County Court, Wellingborough County Court, Grantham County Court, Skegness County Court, Tamworth County Court, Oswestry County Court, Ludlow County Court, Shrewsbury County Court, Evesham County Court, Redditch County Court, Burton-Upon-Trent County Court, Kidderminster County Court.

South West

Magistrates’ courts:
Frome Magistrates’ Court, Bridgwater Magistrates’ Court, Liskeard Magistrates’ Court, Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court, Camborne Magistrates’ Court, Totnes Magistrates’ Court, Honiton Magistrates’ Court, Penzance Magistrates’ Court, Blandford Forum Magistrates’ Court, Wimborne Magistrates’ Court, Coleford Magistrates’ Court, Cirencester Magistrates’ Court, Stroud Magistrates’ Court, Andover Magistrates’ Court, Alton Magistrates’ Court, Lyndhurst Magistrates’ Court.

County courts:
Cheltenham County Court, Penzance County Court, Trowbridge County Court, Poole County Court.

South East

Magistrates’ courts:
Grays Magistrates’ Court, Harlow Magistrates’ Court, Epping Magistrates’ Court, Ely Magistrates’ Court, Wisbech Magistrates’ Court,
Thetford Magistrates’ Court, Cromer Magistrates’ Court, Swaffham Magistrates’ Court, Sudbury Magistrates’ Court, Ashford Magistrates’ Court, Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court, Epsom Magistrates’ Court,
Woking Magistrates’ Court, Mid-Sussex Magistrates’ Court, Lewes Magistrates’ Court, Bicester Magistrates’ Court, Hemel Hempstead Magistrates’ Court, Witney Magistrates’ Court, Amersham Magistrates’ Court, Newbury Magistrates’ Court, Didcot Magistrates’ Court.

County courts:
Ashford County Court, Gravesend County Court, Haywards Heath County Court, Epsom County Court, Huntingdon County Court, Harlow County Court, Lowestoft County Court, Newbury County Court, Hitchin County Court.

London

Magistrates’ courts:
Acton Magistrates’ Court, Haringey Magistrates’ Court (Highgate), Harrow Magistrates’ Court, Sutton Magistrates’ Court, Barking Magistrates’ Court, Brentford Magistrates’ Court, Kingston Magistrates’ Court, Woolwich Magistrates’ Court, Balham Youth Court, Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court, Tower Bridge Magistrates’ Court.

County courts:
Ilford County Court, Mayor’s And City Court.

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