Hall could be a court site
Kelham Hall could host some hearings if Newark Magistrates’ Court closes, it has been claimed.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has, however, pledged to continue to fight for the retention of both the criminal and county courts on Magnus Street.
Members at a full council meeting on Tuesday unanimously supported a motion that the council strenuously objected to the proposal to close the courts.
The motion said the proposed closure eroded the principle of local justice for local people, did not reflect the criteria for closure, especially as the Newark courthouse had the highest occupancy rate in Nottinghamshire, failed to take into account Newark’s status as a Growth Point town and increased costs for court users, the police and council.
The consultation period on potential closure of 103 courts and 54 county courts across the country ended on September 15 and, while the council has made formal representations to both the Ministry for Justice and Her Majesty’s Courts Service, it wants to keep up the momentum.
The council fears a collapse in the local justice system if defendants, victims, witnesses, those involved in family hearings, debtors, advocates, and in some cases magistrates, are all forced to travel to and from Nottingham, in some cases on the same public transport.
In bringing the motion, Mr Roger Blaney said: “If there is to be a concession in Nottinghamshire, let Newark be the concession.”
He said he understood Bassetlaw District Council would not be fighting the closure of the Retford court.
Mr Blaney said the MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, and the MP for Sherwood, Mr Mark Spencer, should use their influence.
If the closure went ahead he wanted the MPs to demand that the business case for the closure was made public.
He said the claimed potential savings did not add up.
A suggestion that Kelham Hall could be used for some hearings if the closure went ahead was made to HMCS last week.
Mr David Payne, a solicitor who worked in Newark for 40 years, said Kelham Hall could only be used for county courts as there was no secure dock or cells for prisoners.
The future of Newark Magistrates’ Court should be known by the end of the year.
