Special Fleetwood court ready to hear first cases

A ‘Nightingale Court’ set up in Fleetwood will hear its first cases this week to help tackle the impact of coronavirus on the justice system
The first Nightingale Court cases are to be heard in the former Fleetwood Magistrates' Court building this weekThe first Nightingale Court cases are to be heard in the former Fleetwood Magistrates' Court building this week
The first Nightingale Court cases are to be heard in the former Fleetwood Magistrates' Court building this week

The newly established court is based in the long-defunct Fleetwood Magistrates' Court building on The Esplanade, which is being reopened specially for the project.

It will hear civil work and enable an additional hearing room for civil cases at the nearby Blackpool Magistrates’ and Civil Court, as well as help increase capacity for more magistrates’ there.

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The Fleetwood premises ceased operating as a criminal court in October 2013 but hosted inquests and family court hearings until recently.

Nightingale Courts have been rapidly set up across the country to alleviate the pressure on courts and tribunals resulting from the pandemic – ensuring that the wheels of justice keep turning.

Justice Minister, Lucy Frazer said: “Fleetwood Nightingale Court joins a huge national effort to recover from this unprecedented pandemic.

"It will help reduce delays in our courts and ensure speedier justice for the people of Lancashire.

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“This is the latest step in our plan to ramp up work with the judiciary, courts staff and legal sector, to pursue every available option and ensure we recover from the effects of Covid as quickly as possible.”

The move will help free up room in existing courts to hear other cases, including custodial jury trials, which require cells and secure dock facilities to keep the public, victims and witnesses safe. It is one of two Nightingale courts opening this week with the other located at the Ministry of Justice’s headquarters in London.

More are expected later this week.

In March, almost half of all courts were closed and jury trials were paused, following Public Health England advice, to minimise social interaction between court users. Since then, court staff, legal professionals, and the judiciary have worked together to prioritise cases and keep the justice system running throughout the lockdown – with up to 90 per cent of court buildings now open.

These actions have meant that, throughout the lockdown, domestic abuse victims could obtain protection orders, children could be safeguarded, and dangerous suspects dealt with.

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Measures were put in place to safely resume jury trials in May 2020, and 64 Crown Courts will be hearing jury trials as of last week.

A major £142 million investment across the courts system has also been announced to speed up technological improvements and modernise courtrooms.