QUESTIONS still need to be answered over the proposed closure of local courts and the plans have been made 'on the hoof' according to local politicians.
Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd spoke at a House of Commons debate last week to discuss the closure of 156 courts across the country including Denbigh, calling for the proposed consultation period to be extended so that everyone will have an opportunity to add their opinions.
“The pre-consultation and consultation period for the closures is not sufficient; it finishes in September and most of it will take place over the holiday period,” said Mr Ruane.
“Will the Minister extend it so that full consultation can take place in those communities?”
Mr Ruane has also tabled numerous Parliamentary Questions about the proposed closures which he believes could have a huge impact of local communities.
“We need to know how many cases have been moved from the Rhyl and Denbigh courts to other courts over the past two or three years?” he asked.
“The equality impact assessment in the public consultation document provides no assessment of the potential impact on users broken down by disability, gender, ethnicity, impact on families and-dare I say it, social class."
Mr Ruane has called for a swift response from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (HM Courts Service and Legal Aid), Justice Jonathan Djanogly so that this information can be circulated to local interested parties.
Plaid MPs also called on the UK government last week to reconsider the plans to close 13 magistrates' courts and five county courts in Wales.
Elfyn Llwyd, MP for Meirionydd Dwyfor said the importance of local justice in Wales was currently under threat.
Mr Llwyd said: "Through closing down and moving services away from communities this will impact on many people at the periphery, who are often those most likely to be called upon to attend magistrates courts.
"This may rapidly increase the number of defendants or witnesses who 'do not attend' courts on time or on the correct date - and impact upon the delivery of justice.
"It appears to me that these current plans have been made 'on the hoof' - with no thought to the realities of these changes.
"If these closures go ahead then I believe it will usher in the demise of the lay magistracy in north and mid Wales and greater use of district judges - and that will complete the run down of any notion of local justice."