Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Magistrates

Tuesday 16 December 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matt Turmaine thanked the Minister for her answer and highlighted the challenge of finding sufficient staff for magistrates courts and family courts.
  • The Minister agreed that staffing is crucial for magistrates courts and family courts and noted the importance of court staff in alleviating anxiety for those visiting courts.
  • Will Forster asked the Minister about Government support for magistrates and inquired about reopening Woking magistrates court.
  • The Minister responded that the Government keeps its court estate and the assessment of need under constant review and invited Will Forster to write to her to discuss provisions in his area.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Turmaine Lab Watford
Justice & Courts
Context

Matt Turmaine recently visited the county and family court in Watford where he discussed staffing challenges with staff.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. I recently had the opportunity to visit the county and family court in Watford, and while there I talked to them about the challenge of finding sufficient staff. Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that staffing is what makes magistrates courts and family courts work, and will she outline further what support the Government are offering to them?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

I agree with my hon. Friend’s point. I was glad to visit Barnet court in my constituency, which has newly reopened after a year. I noticed what many who cross the threshold into our courts see: the first welcome from court staff, which often allays nerves and anxiety in an alienating environment. That is critical, and it is why we want to support our court staff, we are investing in legal advisers who support our magistrates, and we are supporting all of them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on additional staffing measures or financial support for courts.

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Q2 Will Forster Lib Dem Woking
Justice & Courts
Context

The previous Conservative government closed the Woking magistrates court, and Mr Forster seeks its reopening.

Question

I am pleased to hear from the Minister how the Government are supporting magistrates and that she visited a recently reopened magistrates court. The biggest single thing that the Government could do in my constituency in my county of Surrey is reopen Woking magistrates court, which was closed by the former Conservative Government. Will the Government consider reopening Woking magistrates court?

Answer from The Minister for Courts and Legal Services (Sarah Sackman)

We keep our court estate and the assessment of need under constant review. I would be very happy for the hon. Gentleman to write to me so that we can look into the provision in his area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a commitment or timeline for reopening Woking magistrates court but invited the MP to submit a formal request.

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