Fleetwood Magistrates' Court to be re-opened for special Nightingale Court hearings

The site on The Esplande has been chosen as one of 10 so-called Nightingale Courts which have been rapidly set up to tackle the impact of coronavirus on the justice system.

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

The first sessions there are expected to get underway next month but it has not yet been confirmed how long these hearing will continue to be held there.

Other Nightingale Courts have been set up at various locations across the country, including Middlesbrough, Peterborough, Swansea and London.

The 10 sites will host the so-called Nightingale Courts with ongoing work to identify more potential locations.

The aim is to alleviate the pressure on courts and tribunals resulting from the pandemic – ensuring that the wheels of justice keep turning.

They will hear civil, family and tribunals work as well as non-custodial crime cases.

The move will free up room in existing courts - including Blackpool Magistrates' Court - to hear other cases which require cells and secure dock facilities to keep the public, victims and witnesses safe.

The move forms part of government plans to ensure courts recover from the coronavirus pandemic as soon as possible and to avoid any delays getting criminals behind bars.

The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC MP said: "Our action to keep the justice system running throughout the pandemic has been globally recognised, with these Nightingale Courts being the latest step in this effort.

"They will help boost capacity across our courts and tribunals - reducing delays and delivering speedier justice for victims.

"But we won’t stop there. Together with the judiciary, courts staff and legal sector, I am determined that we must pursue every available option to ensure our courts recover as quickly as possible."

In March 2020, almost half of all courts were closed and jury trials were paused to minimise social interaction between court users.

Since then, court staff, legal professionals, and the judiciary have collaborated to prioritise cases and keep the justice system running throughout the lockdown – with up to 90 per cent of all hearings using remote technology during the pandemic.

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