Gloucestershire’s ‘temporary’ courthouse given extra time

• Cirencester Courthouse is to remain open for another year
• It follows an announcement from the court’s operators that its licence to hear cases has been extended until March 2025
• It means judges will be able to use the so-called ‘Nightingale’ Court to hear cases there for at least another twelve months
• Cirencester ceased to operate as a courthouse in 2012 as part of a Ministry of Justice closure programme, then bought by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and leased back to the MoJ to reduce court waiting lists
• PCC Chris Nelson said, “Keeping Cirencester open is good news for the hundreds of victims, witnesses and defendants who have had a case hanging over them for far too long”.

Cirencester Courthouse will remain open for at least another year, following an announcement by the operators, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS).

It is one of 20 Nightingale courtrooms the Government has decided will continue to hear cases until March 2025.

Cirencester re-opened in 2021 and was one of the so-called ‘Nightingale’ Courts recommissioned in an attempt to reduce waiting lists, which reached record numbers during the Pandemic.

“Crown Courts are already dealing with the highest number of cases than at any point since 2019"

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson, who chairs the Gloucestershire Criminal Justice Board said: “Keeping Cirencester open is good news for the hundreds of victims, witnesses and defendants who have had a case hanging over them for far too long.

“People who break the law must face justice and ensuring Cirencester stays open, along with the other 19 extra courtrooms, will do just that”.

Cirencester ceased to operate as a courthouse in 2012 as part of a Ministry of Justice closure programme, which saw many of Gloucestershire’s local courts axed.  The building was bought for the Constabulary by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, which leased it back to HMCTS and has now agreed to extend its licence for another twelve months.

Mr. Nelson said, “Crown Courts are already dealing with the highest number of cases than at any point since 2019.

“Bringing the waiting list down is a primary objective and keeping Cirencester open means judges will continue to hear more cases”.