Two Into One Doesn't Go: Closure of Dover Magistrates Court threatens access to justice in Folkestone

Liberal Democrats have warned the closure of Dover Magistrates Court threatens to undermine access to justice for local people in Folkestone.

Dover's court has been earmarked for closure by the Ministry of Justice, with most of its work being transferred to the already busy Folkestone Magistrates Court.

Victims and witnesses from Dover will have to travel further to attend their proceedings, and more cases will be crammed into the courts at Folkestone - increasing waiting times and delays there.

Liberal Democrats support any attempts to upgrade our legal system but this should be done while maintaining a high functioning and local justice system.

Local Liberal Democrat activist Gary Fuller said:

"Folkestone Magistrates Court is already busy, and massively increasing its workload will not make dealing with that workload easier.

"Taken in the context of further cuts to local government budgets which will have a clear effect on the services residents expect, Dover's court closure comes at the worst possible time.

"I urge the Government to think again and conduct a truly local impact assessment before ramming this through."

Liberal Democrats Justice Spokesperson Jonathan Marks QC said:

"Publishing the Government's response to the consultation on court closures as Parliament rises for recess is a sneaky move to prevent debate on an issue fundamental to British justice.

"The closure of courts, particularly in rural areas, threatens access to local justice. There are clear savings to be made in the Court system, but simply shutting courts at the expense of the communities they serve is not the right approach.

"Courts should only be closed where it can be demonstrated that local communities will not lose out. Greater efficiency cannot always be achieved by a 'digital by default' approach."