The only magistrates’ court in Waltham Forest is now facing closure as the government looks to ‘modernise’ the justice system.
A consultation was launched this morning proposing the closure of 81 courts, including Waltham Forest Magistrates Court in Forest Road.
Last month, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice announced his
intention to work with the judiciary to reform the courts and tribunals in England and
Wales.
The idea behind the reform is to achieve cost savings by bringing the courts into the 21st century.
In the future, there will be an increased use ‘digital case management’, allowing courts to carry out online conferencing and receive fines online.
A new system could even allow people to plead guilty to a criminal offence online, making it ‘as easy as completing a tax return’.
Council prosecutions were brought back to Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court, earlier this year, from Thames Magistrates Court – considered to be one of the busiest in England.
Shailesh Vara, parliamentary under-secretary of state for courts and legal aid, said: “We can only provide better access to justice if we take difficult decisions to reduce the cost of our estate and reinvest the savings.
“We are reforming the courts and tribunal service so that it meets the needs of modern day
users.
“As we bring in digital technology for better and more efficient access to justice,
fewer people will need to physically be in a court.”
The courts being considered for closure are dated and under used, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Police officers may not have to take full days off of work and the prison video link system could be improved, under the new plans.
Bow County Court, often used by Waltham Forest residents, is also earmarked for possible closure.
The consultation ends October 8.
London courts being considered for closure include:
Bow County Court
Feltham Magistrates’ Court
Greenwich Magistrates’ Court
Hammersmith County Court (formerly West London County Court)
Lambeth County Court
Pocock Street Tribunal Hearing Centre
Richmond-upon-Thames Magistrates’ Court
Tottenham Magistrates’ Court
Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court
Woolwich County Court
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