§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Attorney-General why it is proposed that Westminster county court should be closed in the context of proposed transfer of jurisdiction from the High Court to the county court; and what representations he has received against closure.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt has been proposed that Westminster county court be closed on the expiry of the lease on the present premises as no suitable alternative accommodation can be found.
It is intended that the court will be merged with the existing Bloomsbury county court and located at new premises to be known as Bloomsbury and Westminster county court.
The premises presently occupied by Bloomsbury county court will be converted into a trial centre for the London county courts in order to hear the additional heavier cases which will be dealt with by the county courts following the new arrangements for the allocation of business.
Some concern was expressed at the initial proposals by various parties, however, following consultation with the judiciary and members of the local court user committee, no written representations against closure have been received.