Responding to today’s government announcement that the four remaining ‘Nightingale Courts’ will remain open, Tom Franklin, Chief Executive of the Magistrates’ Association, said:
“With the courts backlogs at record levels, any measure to boost or retain court capacity is welcome, so we are pleased that the four remaining ‘Nightingale Courts’ – at Chichester, Cirencester, Fleetwood and Telford – will stay open and be turned back into permanent courts from April this year. This retains vital courtroom space in these communities, reducing travel time to attend court for local people, and brings stability and certainty for magistrates, judges and other court users.
“While we welcome this move, we’re also urging the government to ensure these four sites – and the rest of the court estate – are fit for the future, with the accessibility, IT provision, and security measures that magistrates, judges, court staff and court users deserve. The government must also ensure there are enough court staff and legal advisers, as well as adequate Probation resourcing, to ensure that magistrates can do their vital work effectively, help to reduce the backlog of cases and ensure truly swift and fair justice for victims, witnesses and defendants.”
