Gwent magistrates' courts: proposals for the future

Closed 21 Jul 2014

Opened 9 Jun 2014

Contact

HMCTSWalesConsultation@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk

Results updated 9 Jul 2015

The department received 31 responses to this consultation.

As a result of this consultation, the Lord Chancellor, has decided that Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court and Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court should close.

The majority of the workload should then be moved to Newport Magistrates’ Court and Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court.

Following the response the local Judicial Business Group (JBG) is invited to consult on potential changes to Local Justice Area (LJA) boundaries.

Files:

Overview

This is a consultation on a proposal to close Abergavenny Magistrates' Court and Caerphilly Magistrates' Court.

Both Abergavenny Magistrates' Court and Caerphilly Magistrates' Court are in need of restoration, and HM Courts and Tribunals Service would incur considerable costs in making necessary repairs. It is proposed that both courts close and the workload be absorbed by the other two magistrates' courts in Gwent - Newport and Cwmbran.

This proposal aims to ensure our court estate is used more efficiently and the closure of the courts would offer HM Courts and Tribunals Service savings of around £80,000 a year. 

This consultation seeks the views of local users, judiciary, magistracy, staff, criminal justice agency practitioners and elected representatives to better understand the impact that this proposal would have on the Gwent community.

Audiences

  • Citizens
  • Local authorities
  • Litigants
  • Legal professionals
  • Court & Tribunal staff
  • Legal professional bodies
  • Journalists

Interests

  • Courts
  • Criminal justice
  • Access to justice