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Crime Solicitors

Welsh Government raises concerns that court closures will affect access to justice (18 January 2016)

Date: 18/01/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Welsh Government raises concerns that court closures will affect access to justice

Analysis by the Welsh Government has raised concerns that UK Government courts closure proposals will damage access to justice in Wales.

Welsh Assembly Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews has set out his concerns over the UK Government’s proposed programme of further court closures in Wales in a letter sent to the Ministry of Justice.

Mr Andrews has also sent a paper detailing analysis carried out by the Welsh Government into the impact on travel times, should the proposed closures go ahead.

The analysis supports the Welsh Government’s concerns about the adverse impact of the reforms on access to justice – and also raises concerns about the UK Government’s own analysis, on which the proposals are based.

Mr Andrews says in his letter:

“Our analysis of public transport journeys shows that, if the closures were implemented, more than 30,000 additional households in Wales would face journeys of over two hours each way to access their nearest alternative court.

“The findings indicate rural areas of Wales would be the most adversely affected – for example, Dolgellau would see 72% of households travelling over two hours by public transport, compared to 38% currently.

“Llangefni is another area that would be heavily affected, with 48% of households facing journeys of over two hours by public transport, compared with none currently.

“Our analysis shows that the impacts are significantly worse than the UK Government’s predictions in its consultation paper.”

In the letter, the Minister asks for confirmation that the UK Government will address the significant issues raised by the Welsh Government’s analysis, before decisions are taken to close any more court and tribunal buildings in Wales.

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