Conclusion 14

HMCTS defended the closures, telling us that “70% of [its] buildings are within five miles of another HMCTS building” and that it expects “the vast majority of people” to be able to get to court by public transport for 9.30 am, leaving home no earlier than 7.30 am . However, both HMCTS and the Ministry conceded that, whilst access to justice is now the primary factor in deciding to close any further courts, itmay not have been in the past.30 HMCTS plans to close a further 77 courts over the next few years.31 It pointed to two specific steps it will take to ensure access to justice is prioritised going forward. First, HMCTS said that it has published a list of principles which must be followed before future closures. HMCTS also said that it is taking a more practical approach to measuring travel times to court, including analysing public transport schedules and their reliability.32 25 Qq 2, 5, 8; Ev xx submission from Magistrates Association para 3.3–3.6 26 Q 97; C&AG’s Report para 10 27 Ev xx submission from Transform Justice para 3.5 28 Q 10 29 Q 12; Ev xx submission from Equality and Human Rights Commission page 7 30 Qq 95–96 31 C&AG’s Report para 11 32 Qq 95, 97 12 Transforming Courts and Tribunals: progress review