§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the provision of magistrates courts in East Sussex. [67912]
§ Mr. HoonMagistrates courts are locally managed by magistrates courts committees under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts in their area are for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine. A local authority that contributes financially may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. In the absence of an appeal, the Lord Chancellor plays no part in the process.
Following a period of consultation, the East and West Sussex Magistrates Courts Committees are currently considering whether to propose to the Lord Chancellor that a single magistrates courts committee should be formed. Any new Committee would still be subject to the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997.