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International News

UK Shutting Down Courts

January 01, 2011 posted by Steve Brownstein

The UK government has revealed that 93 magistrates' courts are to be closed in England and Wales.

Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly also said the government would shut 49 county courts, as part of its deficit-reduction programme.

These figures are slightly down from 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts previously marked for closure.

Mr Djanogly told MPs the current system was "unsustainable", but Labour accused the coalition of "crude cost-cutting".

In a statement to the Commons, Mr Djanogly said changes to the court system would mean a "better, more efficient and more modern" system of justice, with premises modernised.

There are some 300 magistrates' courts, which deal with most minor crimes, crown court committal hearings and licensing applications.

County Courts deal with most cases brought under civil law. These include divorces and family disputes, business cases, housing issues, accident claims and small claims.