The Bristol Post newspaper has recently published claims that an average of just four out of 12 court rooms at the new £25m Magistrates’ Court building in Bristol were in use due to government cutbacks. Solicitor Ian Kelsey, Law Society Council Member for Bristol has also called for a Royal Commission to produce a report on the cuts as he noted they are affecting all areas of our criminal justice system: “They have shut too many courts and that is the simple truth. It’s the Ministry of Justice wanting to save more money in the same way as with legal aid cuts.”
The Bristol Post published claims following revelations of half-empty buildings and lengthy delays by a whistleblower working at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.
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For the Bristol Post article please see Emanuel, L. ‘Ian Kelcey, Law Society council member for Bristol: ‘They have shut too many magistrates courts – it’s just ridiculous’, Bristol Post, 30 September 2014
