Due to the government wanting to save money, Warrington County Court will close. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed this.
The court’s workload will be moved to St Helens County Court, with Family Law cases being moved to the Liverpool Civil and Family Courts. This news comes less than five years after the Ministry of Justice spent £1.7 million on an overhaul of the St Helens Courthouse so that it can accommodate civil and criminal proceedings under the same roof.
The changes are being put in place to modernise the justice system. Many people who have experienced the justice system have found it to be a slow and sometimes inefficient process that can cause stress in an already difficult time of their lives. Closing Warrington County Court means that these cases can be moved somewhere that has the facilities to be able to keep up with the modern justice system.
When speaking to Wire FM, Minister of the Courts Shailesh Vara said:
“We have begun installing Wi-Fi and digital systems in our criminal courts but more needs to be done. As part of this modernisation, the court and tribunal estate has to be updated. Last year, 48% of all courts and tribunals were empty for at least half their available hearing time. These buildings are expensive to maintain yet unsuitable for modern technology.”
It is hoped that closing Warrington County Court will have a positive effect on the experience clients have when using the justice system.
However, Warrington Law Society has made calls to rethink the plans. Many people fear that the poorer people within the community will struggle to fund the extra travel costs, with some fearing that it may come to a choice between whether they can afford food or the extra bus to the court.
If you have any questions about how these changes will affect you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01925 571 212.
If you are interested or require any information on any of our services then please get in touch for an appointment on:
Employment law is set to undergo further changes this October as the Government continues its programme of workplace reform. The latest implementation timeline, published by the Department for Business and Trade, outlines several significant changes under the Employment Rights Act 2025 that are due to come into effect this October (and beyond). Firstly, and with […]
Watsons Solicitors is giving back to the local community once again by supporting two of Warrington’s most eagerly awaited events. The law firm is sponsoring both the Warrington Business Awards Plus, which are making a return to the social calendar after a four-year hiatus, and the Warrington Running Festival. The sporting occasion welcomes participants to […]
A Cheshire-based wills and probate solicitor is urging UK adults not to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create wills, warning that mistakes or inaccuracies could leave loved ones facing unnecessary stress, costs, and complications. The cautionary advice comes after research from the Association of Lifetime Lawyers found nearly 75 per cent of UK adults aged […]
A leading Cheshire law firm continues to go from strength to strength following the promotion of a new partner. Lauren Soutar becomes the sixth partner at Watsons Solicitors, joining Catrin Parry, Danny Hudson, Chris Illingworth, and Kristel Clarke in supporting managing partner Latham Parry. Ahead of marking her five-year anniversary later this year with the […]
Watsons Solicitors is a trading name of Watsons Solicitors Warrington LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales registered number OC386012 whose registered office is 13 Bold Street, Warrington, WA1 1DJ.
Watsons Solicitors Warrington LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority number 598547.
Watsons Solicitors
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1DJ