Public meeting called to debate '˜undemocratic' Chichester law court closures

Campaigners fighting to keep justice in Chichester are holding a public meeting to debate serious concerns that court closure consultations have been '˜undemocratic and untransparent'.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Sep 2016, 15:09 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:02 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Campaigners launch postcard writing in a bid to save Chichester Law Courts.Campaigners launch postcard writing in a bid to save Chichester Law Courts.
Campaigners launch postcard writing in a bid to save Chichester Law Courts.

The meeting has been organised by Chichester City Council in the Assembly Room, North Street on Tuesday September 27 at 6.30pm.

Solicitor Edward Cooke, one of the campaign coordinators, said they hoped for a ‘big turnout’ to discuss their proposal to keep justice provision in the city by cutting current court room provision from seven to three.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The vice chairman of Resolution, West Sussex region and past chairman of the Chichester and District Law Society said there were also: “serious concerns the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) have handled the consultation in an undemocratic and wholly untransparent manner.”

The MOJ announced earlier this year Chichester Magistrates Court would close at the end of this month and Chichester Combined Crown and County Courts, next March. But campaigners were assured the MOJ would establish ‘alternative local provision’ before the closures.

It had now announced it intended to go ahead with its plan, said Mr Cooke, but it had still not said what alternative it intended to put in place: “They seem intent on proceeding, despite their repeated assurances this would not happen until alternative local provision had been established.”

The campaigners’ plan for local provision had been ignored said Mr Cooke: “Despite their assurances it would be considered and responded to, the MOJ has, in announcing the Chichester Combined Court Centre will close next March, said it will not now respond to our proposal, despite its many previous assurances to the contrary.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said closure of all of Chichester Law Courts had ‘dire ramifications’ and would leave West Sussex as one of only two counties nationwide without a crown court.

The closures were opposed not only by Andrew Tyrie, West Sussex County, Chichester City and Chichester District councils, he said, but also by the South East Regional Bar (barristers organisation) and the national chairs of the Law Society and Resolution, the organisation of Family Lawyers.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:West SussexNorth Street