SIX years ago, the closure of Tynedale Magistrates’ Court provoked widespread condemnation across the district.

A petition in protest against the decision was signed by over 1,000 people.

However, the battle was to no avail, and in April 2011 the court buildings next to Hexham Abbey were closed, and all of Tynedale’s cases were transferred to Newcastle.

At the time local solicitors voiced their disquiet at the difficulties for defendants and witnesses facing several journeys to reach the court room in Newcastle city centre.

The mantra, often quoted by objectors, was that justice had to be seen to be done locally.

Now, a new consultation document, sent to judges, solicitors’ firms and magistrates by HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the Ministry of Justice, is proposing even more radical changes to courts’ structure across Northumbria.

The consultation, which runs to May 12, seeks to move some hearings to North Tyneside or Bedlington magistrates’ courts.

Due to a lack of cell facilities at Newcastle, cases where there is a risk of a custodial sentence being imposed after conviction could be moved away from Newcastle on health and safety grounds.

Hearings making use of prison to court video links will predominantly be dealt with at North Tyneside, in order to concentrate work in as few sites as possible.

One video link court will be retained at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.

The proposals have been condemned by Newcastle upon Tyne Law Society as spelling the ‘death knell for access to justice’ in the area.

President of the society, Lewis Pearson said: “They’ve certainly gone against the spirit, if not the letter, of local justice administration and now we have a situation where rural areas in particular are not properly served by the courts.

“Hexham is perhaps the worst affected area and has been hit with a double whammy.

“When it was proposed to close Tynedale Magistrates’ Court, there would have been assurances that there would be adequate provision because of good transport links to Newcastle.

“Now it’s not possible by public transport to reach either North Shields or Bedlington court from Bellingham by commencement of court business at 10am. It’s also incredibly expensive.

“If Newcastle Magistrates’ Court ceases as a functional facility, then you’ve taken the heart out of the area – the whole transport system is centred around Newcastle.

“The proposals do not provide a a proper service to the community.”

Mr Pearson said the consultation process was under way with a view to implementation of the proposals in October.

Former chairman of the bench at Tynedale Magistrates’ Court, Charles Enderby, also expressed his concern at the plans.

He said: “I strongly disagreed with the court at Hexham closing in 2011.

“I felt it was quite wrong these people who use the courts had to travel the long distances involved.

“If Newcastle Magistrates’ Court is downsized it makes it even harder for some members of Tynedale to get to court; that’s disappointing.”

The consultation document, also includes plans to shift criminal hearings from Sunderland and Gateshead to South Tyneside.

The changes are necessary, it is claimed, to sustain and improve the efficiency of delivery of justice, and ensure the most efficient use of resources.

The potential negative impact of the proposal is acknowledged, with the document stating: “Changes to the sitting pattern will, almost inevitably, have an impact on the judiciary, some court users, including solicitors and other agencies.”

However, reference is also made to analysis of a sample of recent cases, which suggests that due to lack of custody facilities at Newcastle, cases will have been adjourned to North Tyneside for sentence anyway.

The analysis also suggests the switch from Newcastle will actually ease transport difficulties for many people.