Proposal to close local family court

1.07.46pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Aug 2003

Under proposals put forward by the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority, the Family Proceedings Court in Richmond will be closed and all family hearings will be heard in future in a court in Marylebone Road in central London. Consultation on the proposals ends on September 2.

This means that court actions involving marriage disputes, non-molestation orders in cases of domestic violence and emergency probation orders for children in danger can no longer be heard locally.

Vincent Cable said that "this contradiction of magistrates courts work will be a serious blow to local families who are deprived or are suffering from conflict and crises."

"Just when they most need help in resolving problems they will have to ferry backwards and forwards to and from a court in central London. The same additional burden will fall on over

stretched council social workers and the magistrates themselves."

"I have written a letter of objection supporting the local magistrates who see this as a backward step for justice."