Oxford Magistrates’ Court is wrapped in scaffolding as major renovation works get underway.
The court, which is in Speedwell Street in the city centre, closed on January 5 and will remain shut for six months.
As a result, first stage justice is being shipped off to Reading, High Wycombe and Milton Keynes.
This includes the first magistrates court appearance for the Duke of Marlborough who appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on January 5, only for his case to be sent back to Oxford Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing set for February 5.
This is in the midst of major backlogs in the criminal justice system up and down the country.
A HM Courts Service Spokesperson said last year: “Oxford Magistrates’ Court will temporarily close in January to allow for vital improvement works to ensure the building is fit for everyone who uses it.
“Cases will be moved to Reading Magistrates’ Court, High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court and Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court for the period of the closure.”
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The building will reopen in July. The works include a roof replacement.
The HM Courts Service added that it announced a nationwide £148.5m maintenance programme to tackle the neglected court and tribunal estate.
They say this will help speed up justice by reducing the number of courtrooms out of action while improving conditions for all users of the courts and tribunals.
Reacting to the news, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran previously said: “Our justice system has been pushed to the brink with crumbling courts and huge backlogs denying victims the justice they deserve.
“It is good to see investment in our courts, and I will be keeping a close eye on this project to ensure that delivery stays on track.”
MP Layla Moran (Image: James Manning/PA)
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson added: “We have been in consultation with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service around the temporary closure of Oxford Magistrates’ Court since it was confirmed.
“We are working with them and all other partners to ensure everything is done to mitigate the impact of this on the criminal justice system and users of it.
“We will continue to support victims and fight crime to keep our communities safe.”
For crown court cases, data published earlier last year showed the open caseload nationally was 78,329 at the end of June, up two per cent from 76,957 at the end of March, when the backlog passed 75,000 for the first time.
In Oxford, there were 561 open outstanding cases on June 30 last year, up from 521 at the same time in 2024.
There is also a new record backlog nationally in magistrates’ courts of 361,027 cases, up 25 per cent.
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