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Reform of Local Justice Areas

The Ministry of Justice and Judicial Office are reforming Local Justice Areas to modernise the structure and accessibility of courts across England and Wales. The consultation on reform has closed and the government is responding to feedback, with proposals affecting individual court locations including Lancaster Crown Court.

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2026

9 events
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Justice linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he is taking steps to modernise the Inheritance Act to reflect a) common law partners and b) common law partners whose marriage plans were underway b

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he is taking steps to modernise the Inheritance Act to reflect a) common law partners and b) common law partners whose marriage plans were underway before one of those partners passed …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Consultation outcome Judicial Office Ministry of Justice linked

outcome published

This public consultation seeks views on proposals to replace the current organisation of magistrates’ courts following the abolition of Local Justice Areas.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation
+12 more
↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (89pp) ↓ Equalities Statement (28pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (large print ver… (188pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (Welsh version) (94pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (59pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (large… (132pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (Welsh… (59pp) ↓ Welsh language impact assessment (revised) (4pp) ↓ Welsh language impact assessment: revised (Welsh version) (4pp) ↓ Equalities Statement (revised) (28pp) ↓ Equalities Statement: revised (Welsh version) (29pp)

2025

7 events
24 Jun 2025 | Consultation outcome Judicial Office Ministry of Justice linked

consultation closed

This public consultation seeks views on proposals to replace the current organisation of magistrates’ courts following the abolition of Local Justice Areas.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation
+12 more
↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (89pp) ↓ Equalities Statement (28pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (large print ver… (188pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (Welsh version) (94pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (59pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (large… (132pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (Welsh… (59pp) ↓ Welsh language impact assessment (revised) (4pp) ↓ Welsh language impact assessment: revised (Welsh version) (4pp) ↓ Equalities Statement (revised) (28pp) ↓ Equalities Statement: revised (Welsh version) (29pp)
31 Mar 2025 | Consultation outcome Judicial Office Ministry of Justice linked

consultation opened

This public consultation seeks views on proposals to replace the current organisation of magistrates’ courts following the abolition of Local Justice Areas.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation
+12 more
↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (89pp) ↓ Equalities Statement (28pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (large print ver… (188pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas consultation (Welsh version) (94pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (59pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (large… (132pp) ↓ Reform of Local Justice Areas: Consultation response (Welsh… (59pp) ↓ Welsh language impact assessment (revised) (4pp) ↓ Welsh language impact assessment: revised (Welsh version) (4pp) ↓ Equalities Statement (revised) (28pp) ↓ Equalities Statement: revised (Welsh version) (29pp)

2024

4 events
23 Feb 2024 | Consultation (closed) Ministry of Justice linked

Local Criminal Justice Board Call for Evidence — consultation closed

This Call for Evidence is seeking evidence from all parties with an interest in Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) to better understand the challenges that LCJBs face and how they can best be supported.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) - Call fo…
+2 more
↓ Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) - Call for Evidence (20pp) ↓ Byrddau Cyfiawnder Troseddol Lleol - Cais am Dystiolaeth (22pp)
19 Feb 2024 | Consultation outcome Ministry of Justice linked

Consultation on youth remand funding arrangements — outcome published

A consultation on the Ministry of Justice’s youth remand funding arrangements for local authorities in England & Wales; and high-level options for the future.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on youth remand funding arrangemen…
+7 more
↓ Consultation on youth remand funding arrangements (37pp) ↓ Annex A : Youth custodial remand analysis (15pp) ↓ Ymgynghoriad ar drefniadau cyllido remand ieuenctid (39pp) ↓ Atodiad A: Dadansoddiad o Remand Ieuenctid yn y Ddalfa (39pp) ↓ Response to the consultation on youth remand funding arrang… ↓ Response to the consultation on youth remand funding arrang… (29pp) ↓ Ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad ar drefniadau cyllido remand ieuenc… (30pp)
8 Jan 2024 | Consultation (closed) Ministry of Justice linked

Local Criminal Justice Board Call for Evidence — consultation opened

This Call for Evidence is seeking evidence from all parties with an interest in Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) to better understand the challenges that LCJBs face and how they can best be supported.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) - Call fo…
+2 more
↓ Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) - Call for Evidence (20pp) ↓ Byrddau Cyfiawnder Troseddol Lleol - Cais am Dystiolaeth (22pp)

2023

2 events
9 Nov 2023 | Consultation outcome Ministry of Justice linked

Consultation on youth remand funding arrangements — consultation closed

A consultation on the Ministry of Justice’s youth remand funding arrangements for local authorities in England & Wales; and high-level options for the future.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on youth remand funding arrangemen…
+7 more
↓ Consultation on youth remand funding arrangements (37pp) ↓ Annex A : Youth custodial remand analysis (15pp) ↓ Ymgynghoriad ar drefniadau cyllido remand ieuenctid (39pp) ↓ Atodiad A: Dadansoddiad o Remand Ieuenctid yn y Ddalfa (39pp) ↓ Response to the consultation on youth remand funding arrang… ↓ Response to the consultation on youth remand funding arrang… (29pp) ↓ Ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad ar drefniadau cyllido remand ieuenc… (30pp)
16 Aug 2023 | Consultation outcome Ministry of Justice linked

Consultation on youth remand funding arrangements — consultation opened

A consultation on the Ministry of Justice’s youth remand funding arrangements for local authorities in England & Wales; and high-level options for the future.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on youth remand funding arrangemen…
+7 more
↓ Consultation on youth remand funding arrangements (37pp) ↓ Annex A : Youth custodial remand analysis (15pp) ↓ Ymgynghoriad ar drefniadau cyllido remand ieuenctid (39pp) ↓ Atodiad A: Dadansoddiad o Remand Ieuenctid yn y Ddalfa (39pp) ↓ Response to the consultation on youth remand funding arrang… ↓ Response to the consultation on youth remand funding arrang… (29pp) ↓ Ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad ar drefniadau cyllido remand ieuenc… (30pp)

2022

3 events
1 Nov 2022 | Bill proceedings linked

The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice should consider producing a White Paper that clarifies and publicises the right of the public to attend court hearings and access information on court proceedings in the digital age.

The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice should consider producing a White Paper that clarifies and publicises the right of the public to attend court hearings and access information on court proceedings in the digital age. Type: conclusion | …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Nov 2022 | Bill proceedings linked

The internet and social media are changing the way that the public access court proceedings, which is making the work of the courts more accessible; but this also presents dangers for the administration of justice. In the digital age, it is vital the Government, Parliament and the Judiciary work together to ensure that a balanced approach to open justice is achieved so that public scrutiny of justice can be secured without damaging the quality of the justice administered in the courts. (Parag...

The internet and social media are changing the way that the public access court proceedings, which is making the work of the courts more accessible; but this also presents dangers for the administration of justice. In the digital age, it …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Nov 2022 | Bill proceedings linked

HMCTS should institute a programme of open days to encourage the public to visit their local courts, for example during Justice Week. This programme should be used to improve the awareness of both the public and HMCTS staff of the public’s right to attend court proceedings. Furthermore, there should be a programme to encourage schools to organise visits to their local courts to improve public legal education.

HMCTS should institute a programme of open days to encourage the public to visit their local courts, for example during Justice Week. This programme should be used to improve the awareness of both the public and HMCTS staff of the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2019

1 event

2018

4 events
22 Feb 2018 | Consultation outcome HM Courts & Tribunals Service Ministry of Justice linked

Wales local justice areas: proposed mergers — outcome published

Proposals to merge local justice areas for magistrates' court cases in Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on the merger of the local justice… (28pp)
+5 more
↓ Equality impact assessment ↓ Asesiad o’r Effaith ar Gydraddoldeb ↓ Ymgynghoriad ar uno Ardaloedd Cyfiawnder Lleol yng Nghymru (26pp) ↓ Consultation response (18pp) ↓ Ymateb i'r cynnig ar uno Ardaloedd Cyfiawnder Lleol yng Ngh… (18pp)

2017

1 event
20 Mar 2017 | Bill stage Ministry of Justice linked

Prisons and Courts Bill

[Relevant documents: Fourth Report of the Justice Committee, Session 2015-16, Criminal justice inspectorates, HC 724, and the Government response, HC 1000; Sixth Report of the Justice Committee, Session 2015-16, Prison safety, HC 625, and the Government response, HC 647; Oral …

▤ View Bill · ↗ Parliament

2016

6 events
5 Aug 2016 | Consultation outcome HM Courts & Tribunals Service Ministry of Justice linked

Wales local justice areas: proposed mergers — consultation closed

Proposals to merge local justice areas for magistrates' court cases in Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on the merger of the local justice… (28pp)
+5 more
↓ Equality impact assessment ↓ Asesiad o’r Effaith ar Gydraddoldeb ↓ Ymgynghoriad ar uno Ardaloedd Cyfiawnder Lleol yng Nghymru (26pp) ↓ Consultation response (18pp) ↓ Ymateb i'r cynnig ar uno Ardaloedd Cyfiawnder Lleol yng Ngh… (18pp)
28 Jun 2016 | Consultation outcome HM Courts & Tribunals Service Ministry of Justice linked

Wales local justice areas: proposed mergers — consultation opened

Proposals to merge local justice areas for magistrates' court cases in Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on the merger of the local justice… (28pp)
+5 more
↓ Equality impact assessment ↓ Asesiad o’r Effaith ar Gydraddoldeb ↓ Ymgynghoriad ar uno Ardaloedd Cyfiawnder Lleol yng Nghymru (26pp) ↓ Consultation response (18pp) ↓ Ymateb i'r cynnig ar uno Ardaloedd Cyfiawnder Lleol yng Ngh… (18pp)

2015

13 events

2014

4 events