Surrey Comet launches online petition to save Kingston Magistrates' Court (From Surrey Comet)

Surrey Comet launches online petition to save Kingston Magistrates' Court

6:40am Friday 9th July 2010 in

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The Surrey Comet has launched an online petition to demonstrate how strongly Kingston residents feel about saving our magistrates’ court.

The borough’s MPs, Kingston Council, magistrates, lawyers and civic groups rushed to support the court after the Government started its consultation on June 23, but now we need to show the depth of opposition in the wider community.

Last time the court was slated for closure, 1,500 readers signed our petition and helped reverse the plans.

Now we must stand up and be counted again.

Closure would destroy the principle of local justice for local people.

Closure would waste valuable police time commuting to distant courts at a time when police numbers are under threat.

Closure would risk more trials failing because witnesses were unable to attend cases.

Closure would destroy Kingston’s unique centre of legal excellence, with the magistrates’, county and Crown Court all located near legal services and Kingston University’s legal department.

Closure would put further financial pressure on disadvantaged people who can ill afford fares to Richmond, Wimbledon or Battersea.

Click here to add your name to our online petition