A LONG-AWAITED new, purpose-built magistrates court for Liverpool city centre was finally given the go-ahead last night.
A major national investment of £400m to include the building of six new major courts, including one in Liverpool, was announced by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Lord Falconer.
It will come as welcome news to legal professionals, who have been calling for a new magistrates court in the city for three decades.
The money has been “targeted at areas where new courts are most needed,� according to Her Majesty’s Court Service chief executive Sir Ron De Witt.
He added: “These courts will have the best facilities for dealing with criminal, civil and family cases, providing a first class service for court users.�
It is not yet known where the new court will be built. The beginning of the process to find a private developer will begin next month.
Negotiations will run from October until August 2008 when the final tender will be submitted.
After the preferred bidder is named in early 2009, work will begin and the new court will be fully operational by early 2012.
Shaun McNally, area director for Her Majesty’s Court Service in Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “We have got no definitive information in relation to the site, because we have got to go to the market, but it will be within the confines of the city centre.
“The building will replace the three existing buildings encompassing Dale Street, Hatton Gardens and Victoria Street and will provide 14 magistrates court rooms with all the facilities and requirements. The opening of the new civil and family courts complex (in November last year) was the first part of this huge improvement.
“We are currently investing £8.5m into the existing Queen Elizabeth II law courts to improve the facilities for jurors and in future it will integrate the youth court from Dale Street. The final piece in the jigsaw puzzle is Liverpool City Magistrates Court.
“It will be a court Liverpool can be proud of, and I am really excited about it.�
Upon completion, the current Dale Street site will be sold off and the lease will expire on the Victoria Street court in 2012.
Last night, legal professionals in the city welcomed the news.
Tom Handley, director of Exchange Chambers, said: “It really is great news. The courts on Dale Street have seen better times, and the QEII building is so impressive that the magistrates court really lagged behind.
“A purpose-built court will be terrific, and just what is needed.�
Philip Rooney, management partner at DLA Piper, said: “The funding will help improve access to justice and make sure facilities are appropriate for a 21st century city.�
In addition to the new courts, the capital maintenance budget for repairs and maintenance for all courts is being doubled to £191m.
Lord Falconer said: “This marks a substantial investment in HMCS' court estate, demonstrat-ing the Ministry of Justice's commitment to the courts and the communities that they serve.
“At the heart of this investment are the needs of court users.
“All of these new courts will have separate facilities for victims and witnesses providing them with a safe environment in which to come to court to ensure that justice is delivered.�