Decision to keep court in Carmarthen Guildhall is welcomed

The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed news that one of Carmarthen’s courts has been saved from closure.
Cllr Emlyn Dole said the council had strongly objected to the Ministry of Justice’s proposals to close the magistrate’s court at Guildhall and the civil, family, tribunal and probate court at nearby Picton Terrace, and had submitted a lengthy response to Ministry’s consultation.
The council cited the likely impact the closures would have on local people – especially given the large area the courts cover, and the many rural communities they serve – and had offered a suggestion that the courts could be merged as an alternative to a total closure.
This week, the Minister for the Courts and Legal Aid, Shailesh Vara, announced that the landmark Guildhall court in the centre of Carmarthen is to close, but that the original proposal had changed to include suitable alternative venues. It was further announced that the Picton Terrace court would remain.
“Whilst we understood the need for rationalisation of buildings, we were concerned at the impact the court closures would have on Carmarthenshire residents. In our response to the consultation, we were very clear that we wanted to see at least one of the courts retained so that the people of Carmarthenshire would still have effective access to justice,” said Cllr Dole.
“So, whilst it is a real shame to see the doors close on the magistrate’s court at Guildhall - especially as it has such a long and important history - I welcome the decision to retain the court at Picton Terrace and I’d like to thank the Ministry of Justice for listening to our views.”