Petition to Keep Justice Local
Save the Services of Torquay Magistrates Court: An Update
The Ministry of Justice HM Courts and Tribunals Service has been holding a consultation on the potential closure of Torquay Magistrates Court. I know how important it is to make the feelings of an area clear before any final decision is made.
Torbay cannot afford to lose the services of a local court. It is the second largest urban area in Devon. Local people want local justice by local decision makers.
If Torquay Magistrates is closed then victims, witnesses and those accused would have to travel long distances to ensure justice is acarried out. This will propose serious difficulties for some court users.
Thank you to everyone who supported this petition - from magistrates to police officers.
Kevin presented this petition to Parliament on Wednesday 25th November.
Kevin has now had a formal response from Shailesh Vara MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Justice:
"Thank you for your petition dated 25 November 2015 to the House of Commons signed by 500 Torbay residents expressing their concern about the proposed closure of Torquay Magistrates' Court and the impact it will have on access to justice in the local area. Access to justice is not just about proximity to a court. We are committed to providing alternatives to travel, for example through making better use of technology, including video conferencing, and exploring whether we can appropriately make use of civic buildings for certain types of hearing.
"I have asked the Courts & Tribunals Service officials to record the points and suggestions made in the petition so that they can be fully consdiered as part of the consultation process."
Kevin will publish the plans once they are available.