The local MP has voiced her concern over plans to temporarily close Lancaster Magistrates Court.
Cat Smith says plans are in place to shut the building for an indefinite period due to the lack of a legal advisor, from October 25.
She’s written to Brandon Lewis, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice voicing her opposition to this closure, and calling on him to reconsider the decision as a matter of urgency.
In the letter, Ms Smith says:
‘I understand that there are 4 sittings a month in the magistrates' court where important hearings take place in which clients enter a plea and are sentenced. I believe this closure will be detrimental to services locally for a number of reasons I understand cases will go to either Blackpool or Preston placing a significant strain on local solicitors. Many defendants and families will struggle to afford transport fares to Preston and Blackpool and police will be required to redeploy staff and witnesses to these courts too.
‘There will also be a knock-on impact as our local bench and the skills they have acquired will be lost. Staff at the court are understandably concerned, particularly as they have not been consulted on this closure, and them are understandable fears that this closure could be made permanent. I understand all this could be avoided if legal advisers are redeployed to Lancaster for four days a month and a replacement is recruited. I am therefore completely opposed to this closure and request that you look at reconsidering this decision as a matter of urgency.’
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