Courts switch opposed

OLDHAM Council unanimously agreed to oppose plans to move civil courts from Oldham to Manchester.

The Court Service has plans to stop circuit judges travelling to Oldham, and to move some civil trials to Manchester.

Councillor Brian Lord said the move would mean residents having to travel into Manchester, which would prove difficult and costly.

He said as current case listing times were running into months, that would be an argument for more judges in Oldham.

Deputy leader Jackie Stanton said Oldham court was the busiest outside Manchester, and there could be potential job losses at local solicitors.

Councillor Ateeque Ur Rehman supported the motion and said: “This move is against the principles of local justice for local people.”

The council has requested a full consultation on the plan and council chief executive Charlie Parker will now pass the council’s views to the Court Service, the three MPs, the new Secretary of State for Justice Kenneth Clarke.