MPs including Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, have asked ministers not to make further court closures, following consultation in February 2018 on the closure of eight courts. Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke told the House of Commons on 6 March 2018 that courts were only closed when the Government is satisfied that access to justice is maintained, but Ms Hayes contended that this was not the case in her constituency, where closures had seen constituents diverted to another court, described by lawyers as a “chaotic environment”.
