Buxton Court could re-open to help deal with 'crippling' backlog of Derbyshire cases

The vast majority of the nation’s courts have been closed since March but some Derbyshire hearings have continued virtually, with all venues shuttered.

As a result there is now an ‘emergency’ unfolding, says Hardyal Dhindsa, Derbyshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC), who is calling for temporary ‘Nightingale courts’ to be set up.

In Derbyshire alone there are more than 1,000 court cases either delayed indefinitely or at risk of postponement – leaving justice for the victims unserved.

During a virtual meeting of the police and crime panel last month, hosted by Derbyshire County Council, councillors suggested the use of defunct former facilities in Buxton and Burton, in Staffordshire, could become Nightingale facilities.

Buxton’s Magistrates’ and County Court building closed in 2016 as part of a raft of closures across the country in an aim to streamline the system and save money.

At the time, Alan Charles, then Derbyshire PCC, said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ at the closure saying it was an ‘ill thought out’ decision and was ‘unfair to many vulnerable victims and witnesses who live in the High Peak’.

Burton’s Magistrates’ Court also closed in 2016 as part of the same closure programme.

During the police and crime panel meeting, Coun Julie Patten, a member of Derbyshire County Council and South Derbyshire District Council said: “I do find that a little disappointing, they have been shut since March and we are only just looking at it.

“It’s a bit slow isn’t it?”

Mr Dhindsa said: “I totally agree with you. PCCs up and down the country have been trying to raise this for the last six to eight weeks and it is only in the last two weeks that the Ministry of Justice has recognised the emergency of the backlog of court cases.”

Coun Alan Barrow, member of High Peak Borough Council for New Mills East, said: “Buxton court is still in mothballs and that could cater for the High Peak and the surrounding area and into the Derbyshire Dales.”

Following the meeting, Mr Dhindsa said: “I will look at any options to help increase capacity, including Buxton and Burton.”