Magistrates Court Success

16.12.02

Kingston's Court given stay of execution

Unpopular plans to close Kingston's Magistrates Court have been put on temporary hold following a deputation by the Borough's top politicians to the Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department, Yvette Cooper MP. The consultation period has been extended further until the end of January to allow more time to put Kingston's case.

Edward Davey and Jenny Tonge, the two Liberal Democrat MPs in Kingston were joined by Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council Roger Hayes, Ian Ratjen, Chairman of the Kingston Magistrates' Bench, Stephanie Leitch, from the Kingston-upon-Thames Society and Helen Corbett, from the surrey Law Society. in an hour long meeting on Thursday 12th December with Yvette Cooper MP where they argued against the closure of Kingston's court.

Mr.Davey, who has previously lobbied Yvette Cooper to campaign against the proposed closure, said:

"We are grateful that the Minister listened to our case and has at least postponed the closure.

"The local campaign has been absolutely brilliant - with the magistrates, the Kingston Society and many other local people joining in - and it is good to get this concession which could make all the difference.

"While we are far from stopping the closure and we don't want to raise false hopes, this is a small step in the right direction.

"The GLMCA's response to the Council's appeal was highly inadequate and it was essential that we secured this meeting with the Minister. The consultation was about the Court's quality, but now we are being asked about capacity - it seems like the whole exercise has been confused, but at least now we are clear that we have until the end of January.

"The fight goes on and we will look at the potential for unifying court services in Kingston - keeping all services local which I know is what residents want."