Kingston court closure: The history we have lost (From Surrey Comet)

Kingston court closure: The history we have lost

7:10am Friday 1st July 2011 in Save Kingston Magistrates By Clare Buchanan

HISTORY: A form of magistrates has existed in Kingston since 1199, when Saturday bailiffs and the high steward would preside over cases in the Market Place.

The town’s justice system was confirmed by Letters Patent of James I in 1603, which made the bailiffs, steward and recorder Justices of the Peace.

As part of the old Guildhall the former courthouse, which was extensively refurbished in 1706 and entirely rebuild in 1838, became the Market House when the present Guildhall opened in 1935.

In 1811 a new courthouse opened near the south end of the Market Place.

This was demolished in 1933 to make way for today’s Guildhall, which sits above the present magistrates courts which opened in 1936.

In Victorian times people arrested for petty offences were often not tried in court, but were taken straight to the magistrates’ own homes for justice.

A 1690 court list shows typical offences dealt with included the “keeping of hogs in the Kings Highway from Bishops Hall towards the Markett”.

Typical punishments include being “set in the stocks for swearing” and being “listed into her majesties service.”

CAMPAIGN TIMELINE

December 28, 31, 2001 Kingston Magistrates' Court earmarked for closure in a shake-up of courts across London.

Campaigners vow to fight to save the court April 25, 2002 Surrey Comet launches court campaign.

June 7, 2002 Petition signed by more than 1,500 residents is handed to Greater London Magistrates Court Authority.

August 2, 2002 The Kingston Society sends a letter to the Lord Chancellor, the Surrey Comet urges readers to do the same.

August 16, 2002 An ancient decree in the Royal Charter, which lays down the borough's rights to its own court, gives campaigners hope.

April 11, 2003 Battle to save Kingston Magistrates Court is won. Minister for the department, Yvette Cooper MP announced in the House of Commons the court would be saved.

June 23, 2010 Kingston magistrates comes under threat for the second time as it is included in a list of 157 courts that may be closed by the Ministry of Justice in an effort to save £15.3m in yearly running costs.

July 9, 2010 Surrey Comet launches online petition.

July, 28, 2010 Protest at Guildhall.

August 24, 2010 Government claims that the court cost £319,000 to operate in 2009-10 is revealed as untrue.

The £52,000 reduction in its true operating costs makes Kingston the sixth cheapest of London’s 33 magistrates’ courts.

September 13, 2010 More than 1,500 people sign a petition and Surrey Comet reporters and borough’s MPs join magistrates on the streets of Kingston for a day of action.

September 23, 2010 Kingston court petition, signed by 4,208 people, handed in to Number 10 Downing Street.

November 27, 2010 The Government admits using outdated figures overstating Kingston Magistrates’ Court’s running costs.

December 14, 2010 The Government confirms it will close Kingston Magistrates' Court in June to save money.