BREAKING: Rotherham Magistrates' Court to close

ROTHERHAM Magistrates’ Court will close within two years as part of a government plan.

ROTHERHAM Magistrates’ Court will close as part of a government shake-up.

The decision by the Ministry of Justice — made despite a campaign by The Law Society — means all witnesses and defendants face a trip to Sheffield Magistrates’ Court for their hearings.

Rotherham County Court and Family Court, housed in the same building, will also close.

The Ministry of Justice said the closure is expected to be complete between October and December this year.

Shailesh Vara, justice minister, said: “Our courts and tribunal system is in need of urgent reform.

“Maintaining our under-used and dilapidated court buildings costs the taxpayer £500 million a year but some courts sit for less than half the time available.

“This is simply unsustainable. Closing these courts in poor quality buildings will raise £40 million to re-invest in the justice system, and save hard-working taxpayers £27 million per year.

“The decision to close a court is never taken lightly, but in the digital age I am confident we have measures in place to ensure access to justice is not diminished.”