MAGISTRATES said they were fiercely opposed to the closure of Merseyside courts in a consultation on planned cuts by the Government.
They said the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) had based its proposals on inaccurate information and the impact on Merseyside if they went ahead would be “far-reaching”.
The MoJ wants to axe Knowsley magistrates’ court in Huyton, and both Southport magistrates’ and county courts, as part of a programme of national cutbacks.
The workload would be taken over by either South Sefton magistrates’ court in Bootle, or Liverpool.
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCSU) has already made clear its opposition to the plans. Now, in an open letter to local MPs and council leaders, the Merseyside branch of the Magistrates Association added their voice to those calling on the Government to think again.
Chairman Keith Pickup said: “We oppose all of the proposals.
“In our view, there are numerous factual errors in the proposals linked to specific courts.
