Kettering and Corby magistrates court closures confirmed

Kettering Magistrates’ Court, Corby Magistrates’ Court and Kettering County Court are among 80 courts nationally to shut after the announcement today (Thursday).

The courts have been earmarked for closure since July 2015.

Delivery director for HM Courts & Tribunals Service Midlands Lucy Garrod said: “The decision to close a court or tribunal will mean that in some cases court users will need travel further to attend court.

“We have modified some of our plans using the local knowledge provided in responses to the consultation, to reduce the travel time impact to court users.

“We will continue to investigate and develop alternative ways for users to access our services to improve access to justice.

“Staff and judiciary who work hard to deliver our justice system will obviously be affected by these changes.

“I am committed to working closely with the judiciary on the implementation of these changes.

“I will also be supporting our staff through these changes and ensuring the transition to the new arrangements takes place in a fair and transparent manner inline with the Managing Organisation Change Framework (MOCF) and in consultation with the Departmental Trade Union.”

The magistrates’ courts will close between now and June, with Kettering County Court to close between July and December.