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Posted by Editor on 15th August 2010 at 10:41 PM
Video: Courthouse Blues - Salford's political bosses respond
by Tom Rodgers and Stuart Owen

Following the revelations that funding was to be cut for a new courthouse in Eccles, a question mark hangs over the future of Salford Magistrates' Court.

For a city the size of Salford to lose its Magistrates' Court to amalgamate with Manchester (as is proposed) would surely be a serious knock the the city's confidence.

Not only was the new courthouse going to regenerate Eccles town centre, it was also going to carry on the fine tradition of local magistrates dealing out local community justice.

The Magistrates' Court at Bexley Square on Chapel Street has been the site of many pioneering works of local justice, especially in the fields of Domestic Violence and Youth casework.

With the possibility in the balance that Salford will not only have to give up those programmes, but also lose the local knowledge provided by magsitrates from Salford who deal with cases locally, we took the questions to the current head of the council and to the sitting MP.

Our interviewees - Salford MP Hazel Blears, and Leader of the Council, Councillor John Merry - tell us why they think local judicial independence is a major benefit to the city, and what they are doing to safeguard Salford Magistrates' Court.



Related Links

Top Salford Magistrates speak out for court click here
Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Editor ( member )  13th April 2010
PETITION TO KEEP OUR MAGISTRATES’ COURTS. During the General Election campaign the Downing Street online petitions system is closed to new submissions and signatures, however SalfordOnline.com will be registering an e-petition to keep the Magistrates’ Courts in Salford as soon as the facility reopens after the formation of a new Government. Please support the petition, with approximately 166,000 registered voters alone in Salford WE CAN MAKE OUR VOICE HEARD. In the meantime MAKE THIS AN ELECTION ISSUE with each of the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates seeking your vote.

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