DEWSBURY’S two courts should be merged on the site of the magistrates’ building to save them from closure, local solicitors say.
Dewsbury and District Law Society wants the county court in Eightlands Road to share premises in Grove Street with the magistrates’ court.
Society president Bernard Disken said while members felt it was not ideal it was preferable to seeing both courts closed and cases transferred to Huddersfield under Government cuts.
He said: “Our members are suggesting that rather than close both courts in Dewsbury, the two should be amalgamated in the magistrates’ court building.
“Indeed, plans to do just that were at an advanced stage before the General Election.”
Mr Disken said Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court, which dates from the 1960s, is too small to handle cases from around North Kirklees in addition to its current workload.
Mr Disken also believes Dewsbury’s magistrates court boasts superior facilities to Huddersfield having been purpose-built barely 20 years ago.
Dewsbury and District Law Society members are lobbying Government ministers and have also launched a petition against the closure plans.