Campaigners call for Chichester Crown Court to reopen permanently

30 June 2021

As a vocal campaigner on Chichester's Court provision, Edward Cooke was recently asked to comment on the Chichester Observer's piece on campaigners requests for Chichester Crown Court to reopen permanently, following its successful use as a Nightingale Court during the pandemic. 

Edward commented "Although at present the court is open to catch up with a huge backlog of cases, we believe that the Ministry of Justice should make a decision to keep it open permanently, as this is what is desperately needed. The Crown Court building is an iconic, purpose built building which should be retained to meet the needs of the Chichester district and indeed it is vital public service.”

The Crown Court and  Magistrates’ Courts closed in 2018 and 2016 respectively. The Nightingale Court is currently in place and there is no clarity currently when the temporary arrangement will end and what the future holds for Court provision in Chichester.