Chichester's Nightingale Court to remain open

It was first opened during the covid pandemic to tackle a backlog in cases.

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 17th Feb 2023

Chichester's nightingale court will be kept open for another year in a bid to cut backlogs of cases and reduce the time victims spend waiting for justice.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said 11 out of the 12 nightingale courts launched during the coronavirus pandemic, which are still open, will continue to hear cases in 2023.

The one in the city was initially opened at East Pallant House, before being moved to the previously mothballed Chichester Crown Court building in Southgate in 2021.

The site was granted a reprieve after previously being closed in 2016.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said:

"We are determined to provide the swift justice that victims deserve, and nightingale courts have a vital role to play as our justice system continues to recover from the unprecedented impact of the pandemic and last year's strike action.

"The crown court backlog is now falling once again, and the continued use of these courtrooms will help to drive it down even further."

Others to remain open are based in Telford, Shropshire, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Cirencester, Fleetwood, Swansea, Croydon and Maidstone.

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