27 January 2011
Peter Aldous this week received confirmation from Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, on the closure of Lowestoft County Court and services to be retained.

Mr Aldous had written to Mr Djanogly asking for clarification of the services to be retained at Lowestoft.

Mr Djanogly’s letter stated that:

The District Judge will continue to sit at Lowestoft for two days a week, currently planned for Monday and Wednesday when the Court closes on 1 April 2011.

On those days, urgent processes, for example issues of an injunction or an application to suspend a warrant of eviction, will be dealt with immediately.

Documents can be lodged and court forms can be provided

Non urgent process will be accepted at Lowestoft but will be sent to Norwich to be dealt with.

There are no plans to close Lowestoft Magistrates Court.

Mr Aldous said:

“I am pleased that we will be retaining what is, in effect, a part-time service at Lowestoft Court. This at least means that local people have a counter service here in Lowestoft and that urgent matters can still be dealt with here rather than elsewhere. Notwithstanding this, I’ll be keen to hear from people as to how the new system is working from April onwards.”

| Letter from Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly dated 20th Jan 2011.