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Closing Sandwell Magistrates Court 'will deepen inequalities'

Controversial plans to close Sandwell Magistrates Court will 'deepen inequalities' within the justice system, legal professionals claim.

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Officials from the Ministry of Justice announced earlier this year the court was one of 14 in the Midlands which could be axed to save money.

And it is one of 91 courts earmarked for closure across England and Wales.

But in a response to a consultation over the closures, the Law Society said axing the Sandwell court would have an adverse impact on the borough.

Officials said the response reflected solicitors' views on the likely affect of the proposed closures on communities, the justice system and the legal profession.

President Jonathan Smithers said: "The proposed closure of Sandwell Magistrates Court will make it more difficult for a significant number of people to get to court.

"Closures will also more adversely affect people with disabilities and lower income families.

"Combined with further planned increases in court fees and reduction in eligibility for legal aid, this closure will serve to deepen the inequalities in the justice system between those who can and cannot afford to pay."

Mr Simmons said the court was purpose-built and its closure would also have an adverse impact on solicitors.

"Sandwell Magistrates Court has good facilities," he said.

"Three of the courtrooms have secure docks and there is direct access from the custody area to all courts. There are eight cells, three of which can accommodate category A prisoners.

"It is a purpose-built court that is used above the national average for England and Wales.

"The society has had the benefit of seeing the response of Birmingham Law Society and agrees with the points set out in that response.

"The society notes that several of its members have located their offices specifically to meet the needs of clients appearing at Sandwell.

"Their businesses will suffer if the court this closed.

"The Law Society recommends that Sandwell Magistrates' Court remains open."

Plans to close the court were announced earlier this year with the reason given the building was underused.

In 2014/15 the Oldbury Ringway based court house cost £407,000 to run but was only used to 47 per cent of its total capacity.

If closure is approved it has been proposed the workload would be transferred to Walsall Magistrates' Court.

More than 21 jobs would be affected by the closure. Consultation on the closures ended yesterday .

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