Net zero courts? Plan to shut down degenerate courts revealed
updated on 14 September 2022
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His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has drawn up plans to shut down and sell off ageing and run-down court buildings within the next decade.
The plans have been drawn up to ‘consolidate’ the court estate, as part of an attempt to ensure that the justice system meets its net-zero target. Shutting down buildings, opening new courts and extending the ‘Nightingale’ programme all have a part to play in these plans.
The programme itself aims to increase sustainability by redesigning and modernising the courts. A so-called ‘consolidation’ of the entire justice estate is expected by 2031, with suggestions to use office blocks and public buildings as ad-hoc ‘Nightingale Courts’ suggested.
During the pandemic, these courts were opened in conference centres, hotels, theatres, and public buildings to support social distancing measures. However, some locations remain in operation across London. Sites at Croydon, Barbican, Holborn, and Borough, alongside the extra criminal court capacity found at the High Court and the Old Hendon Magistrates Court are all still operating.
Authors of the strategy have stated: “We will prioritise investment for larger buildings to build resilience and will consider the condition of a building for further estates consolidation.”
The HMCTS board signed off the 10-year strategy in March this year but the plans remained unpublished until the Evening Standard made a Freedom of Information request earlier in September.
According to the paper, HMCTS strategy document outlines the direct pressure it’s under to reduce property costs in courts and tribunals by 2026. It then outlines plans considering a complete closing down of the “least efficient and sustainable” buildings, in favour of moving court cases to ”more modern, cost-effective and low energy/low carbon sites”.
Despite the Evening Standards findings, a HMCTS spokesperson has said: “In London, we will relocate courts and tribunals from older buildings to new, fit-for-purpose premises. There are currently no plans to close any London courts.”
This news comes against a backdrop of crisis within the criminal justice system, as barristers and the Magistrates’ court workforce are set to take strike action.
