INQUALITIES in the justice system will deepen if the Government presses ahead with the widespread proposed closure of magistrates’ courts, a leading legal body has warned.

The Law Society has responded to the Ministry of Justice consultation over plans to shut 91 courts and tribunals, a fifth of those England and Wales.

Those earmarked for closure in the North-East include court buildings at Consett and Hartlepool with offenders, victims, witnesses and solicitors expected to travel to Peterlee and Middlesbrough for live hearings.

Law Society president Jonathan Smithers said: “The proposed closures will make it more difficult for a significant number people to get to court, and the closures will more adversely affect people with disabilities and lower income families.

"Combined with the further planned increases in court fees and reductions in eligibility for legal aid, this closure will serve to deepen the inequalities in the justice system between those who can and cannot afford to pay.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, everyone in England and Wales must be able to access legal advice and the justice system.”

In its consultation, paper the Ministry of Justice states that people could use the region’s rail network but the closest train station to Consett is Stocksfield and to Peterlee is Seaham with no direct bus links from the former steel town.

Passengers would first have to travel to the Metrocentre to make the journey by rail, which would itself take one hour and 43 minutes.

The quickest way to get to Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on public transport for 9.30am to comply with bail conditions is to leave Consett Bus Station at 7.23am to make a two hour five minute journey via Newcastle on two buses.

To make it to Middlesbrough to attend Teesside Magistrates’ Court on public transport, a defendant would have to leave Hartlepool Train Station at 8.05am for the 41 minute journey.

Mr Smithers said: “The closures would therefore present serious travel difficulties for local court users, which would be likely to have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable clients, those on low incomes and those travelling from rural areas, as set out in our main consultation response.

“The closure of this court would also have an impact on the Crown Prosecution Service, National Probation Service and Citizens Advice Bureau which all have rooms in the buildings.”

The consultation period ends today. (Thursday October 8)

A spokesman for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said: “It is critical that we continue to have a court and tribunal service which is fit for the needs of today’s society, upholding and being seen to uphold the rule of law, fairly and consistently.

“This consultation is not about distancing people from justice. In the future, we will offer modern, digital ways of interacting with the justice system.

“Fewer people will need to come to court in person. We have court and tribunal buildings across the country, which are no longer fit for purpose, with inadequate facilities and very poor utilisation rates.”