BREAKING NEWS: Top judge questions Kingston court closure (From Surrey Comet)

Top judge questions Kingston Magistrates' Court closure

3:18pm Thursday 21st October 2010 in Save Kingston Magistrates

BREAKING NEWS: Top judge questions Kingston court closure

The most senior judge in England has questioned the case for closing Kingston Magistrates' Court.

Lord Chief Justice Ivor Judge, in his foreword to a report on the consultation over proposed court closure, threw doubt on claims neighbouring courts could absorb additional casework from Kingston.

He also hinted it could make better financial sense to close Richmond Magistrates' Court instead.

The Surrey Comet has spearheaded the campaign to save Kingston's court since the Government announced plans to close it in June.

Over 4,000 people signed our petition, and we discovered Kingston was one of the most cost effective courts in London and one of the quickest at securing justice for crime victims.

The report read: “The local bench has questioned whether the asset value attached to Richmond, £6.7m, would not present a better option for the court service to realise savings, preserving Kingston Magistrates' Court given the relatively inexpensive leasehold arrangement.

“This may be supported by the suggestion of a substantial maintenance backlog at Richmond.”