New ‘extended sentence’ for Cirencester’s temporary court

• 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 the end of March,  2026
• It means judges will be able to hear criminal cases there for at least another twelve months
• The former court building has been in use since 2021 to provide additional temporary capacity in an attempt to reduce 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, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) announced today (20 February).

It follows a new agreement between HMCTS and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gloucestershire who owns the building.

Judges will now be able to hear criminal cases there, including jury trials, until the end of March 2026.

PCC 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, will help to do just that”.

The former court building has been in use since 2021 to provide additional temporary capacity.

It reopened in 2021 and was one of the so-called ‘Nightingale Courts’, opened to provide temporary space for hearings in line with Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. Its use has been extended since then in an attempt to reduce waiting lists, which reached record numbers during the Pandemic.

HMCTS Christine Murray, Delivery Director for the South West region, said: “We are really pleased to have been able to work with the Police and Crime Commissioner to extend our use of this site. The two courtrooms at Cirencester will help us to continue to ensure local access to justice and tackle court backlogs.”

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”.