§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the current status of proposals relating to the moving of Chelmsford magistrates court to Witham; and when he expects a final decision on this proposal to be taken. [24496]
§ Mr. HoonThe Department has no proposals in respect of magistrates courts in Essex.
Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts is 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, however, the Lord Chancellor plays no part in the process.
I understand from the Essex magistrates courts committee that there are no current plans to move the Chelmsford magistrates court to Witham.