Limavady Courthouse to shut this summer
JUSTICE Minister David Ford has confirmed that three court buildings in the North West are to shut.
Magherafelt, Limavady and Strabane will deliver no more justice after this summer due to budget restrictions.
They are among a total of six courts which have been earmarked for closure following a review across the North of Ireland.
The process of closures is to begin in the summer and will result in annual savings of £1.1m.
Justice Minister David Ford said he had come to the decisions due to “unprecedented financial pressures”.
“In common with other public sector organisations, the Department of Justice has seen very significant budget reductions in recent years,” he said.
“These reductions have had, and will continue to have, a significant adverse impact upon the entire justice system, including the Courts and Tribunals Service.”
Mr Ford said operating and maintaining the court estate alone accounts for £9 million per year, adding that it is no longer feasible to continue to manage the estate in its current form.
The Minister added: “While I have no doubt that some Members, some court users and some members of the public will have concerns about specific closures, I am satisfied that in the current financial climate, and in the context of falling business volumes and the extensive underutilisation of the current court estate, it is appropriate to proceed with the six closures.”
In 2014/15 the usage rates in the three North West courts facing the axe were:
Limavady 23.3%
Magherafelt 20.7%
Strabane 29.7%
