Keep Family Courts in Brent - Teather

1.31.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 17th Oct 2006

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, is to meet next week with Bridget Page, Chair of the Family Courts Division, to discuss ways of saving Brent's family courts.

The Courts Service have proposed that, in the future, family work from Brent should be dealt with at Barnet County Court, Uxbridge County Court, or at Wells Street in W1. The Courts Service have admitted that Barnet and Uxbridge are not accessible to all via public transport.

This would leave vulnerable and disadvantaged families forced to travel to centres outside Brent, at their own cost. Brent Council would also be subject to the additional cost of ensuring social workers and legal representatives can reach these more distant courthouses.

The borough's family magistrates have strong concerns over the new proposals, and appealed to the local MP, Sarah Teather, to help keep the family courts in Brent.

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Brent issues should be dealt with in Brent.

"Attending a court can be daunting for families. Travelling out of the borough to an unfamiliar area could make the experience even more intimidating.

"Many families attending court are from the most vulnerable, disadvantaged backgrounds in our community. They should not have to endure the extra cost of travelling beyond Brent.

"I am glad local magistrates raised this problem with me. Now we must work together to save Brent's family courts.

"The Courts Service must listen to local people and think again."