Solicitor hits out at planned court closure

EARMARKED for closure . . . Oldham Magistrates’ Court

A LAWYER is warning that the planned closure of Oldham County Court, which handles family and civil law cases, would deny people across the borough access to justice.

The controversial plan has been drawn up by the Government and also includes closing Oldham Magistrates’ Court. Both are among 21 in the region facing the axe under a national review.

Oldham councillors recently called on Justice Minister Michael Gove to reconsider the plan, which local MPs also oppose.

Stacy Fox, a family lawyer at Pearson Solicitors, has added her own warning: “The borough would lose its county court, which also currently serves Rochdale and Tameside. All civil and family work would be transferred to Manchester and will prevent many people from exercising their fundamental access to justice.

“The Government says everyone would be able to travel to the Manchester Civil Justice Centre within an hour. This is clearly not the case. How will the elderly and those on benefits or low incomes pay for travel from the outer areas of Oldham into the city? What if buses or trains are cancelled or delayed or there is an accident on the road? This will cause delay and adjournments, wasting court time and increasing costs. In certain cases if people have not attended on time, their case may be dismissed, or an order made, with serious consequences.”

Mrs Fox, who is secretary of Oldham Law Association, has asked people to have their say on the closure plans. Public comments must be made before October 8 on a response document from the Ministry of Justice website.