Former Gloucestershire magistrate's to be transformed into 'Nightingale Court'
Cirencester Magistrate's Court will begin to hear the backlog of court cases in Gloucestershire in the New Year
It's been announced a former Gloucestershire magistrate's court will be transformed into a 'Nightingale Court' to battle through the backlog of court cases in the county.
There are now over 1,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in Gloucestershire – a record high and a number that has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic.
Cirencester Magistrates Court was offered to the Ministry of Justice by Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, Martin Surl, earlier this year in April.
Mr. Surl, who is also chair of Gloucestershire’s Criminal Justice Board, said it was good news at last for the many hundreds of victims, witnesses and defendants awaiting justice.
Work has now started to refurbish the court to full working order which when complete, will hear it's first case in January 2021.
Mr. Surl said, “I am delighted the Ministry and my office have been able to reach an agreement on sharing the relatively minor maintenance costs so that we can concentrate on delivering local justice.
“Be in no doubt, coronavirus has brought our only remaining courts to their knees.
“The magistrate’s court in Cheltenham has been unable to function fully and without the first rung in the justice ladder, little can go to the crown court. Waiting lists are already higher than they’ve ever been and according to worst-case scenarios, it could be at least 2022 before they catch up.
“It has taken a huge amount of effort and persistence to get to this stage. I was critical of the Ministry for not being able to tie this up and get the court back into action much sooner but that is history now and I am glad the building can be put to good use”.
Cirencester Court adjoins the town’s police station and operated as both a magistrates’ court and reserve crown court until it was axed by the HMCTS in a cull of local courts in 2012.
It was acquired by the PCC to protect the integrity of the police estate.
It now becomes the latest temporary ‘Nightingale Court’ announced by the Lord Chancellor as part of the Ministry’s plans to tackle the impact of COVID-19 on the justice system.