The temporary courts will begin hearing cases from next week and cover most areas of England and Wales. Middlesbrough Town Hall, the Knights’ Chamber in the grounds of Peterborough Cathedral, and the Ministry of Justice’s own headquarters in London are among the venues that will soon be in use.
They will hear civil, family and tribunals work as well as non-custodial crime cases. The move is designed to free up room in existing courts to hear other cases, including custodial jury trials, which require cells and secure dock facilities to keep the public, victims and witnesses safe.
The full list of confirmed sites is:
- Former county court at Telford, Shropshire
- Hertfordshire Development Centre, Stevenage
- Swansea Council Chambers, Swansea
- Cloth Hall Court, Leeds
- Middlesbrough Town Hall, Teesside
- East Pallant House, Chichester
- 102 Petty France, London
- Prospero House, London
- Former magistrates’ court at Fleetwood, Lancashire
- Knights’ Chamber and Visitor Centre, Bishop’s Palace, Peterborough Cathedral