Lisburn community rally to defence of courthouse

Solicitors Cherith Crymble, Ann Roulston and Janice Spence handing in a petition to keep Lisburn courthouse open to Ronnie Armour, chairman of the Courts and Tribunal Service. US1525-503cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

The Lisburn Solicitors Association had staged the online and local petition in response to a consultation regarding the closure of  the court.

The consultation closed at the end of May with the results are expected at the end of the summer.

Local people were urged to sign the petition to ask the Minister of Justice and the Court Service of Northern Ireland to consider keeping the Court open given that it is such a vital component of the local community.

The petition was available to sign online, at local solicitor’s offices and in the premises of local businesses.

Lisburn Solicitors Association Chairperson, Janice Spence said: “The feedback from our clients and from local people was phenomenal.

“The general public could not fathom why such a proposal has been made, especially when they were informed that only £144,000.00 per annum is needed to keep the Court open”.

The campaign to keep the local Courthouse open is ongoing and the Council is currently drafting proposals to take to the Minister of Justice regarding the area of Lisburn and its access to justice.

A statement from the council said: “As part of its Community Planning workstreams, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is liaising on an ongoing basis with consultants about the retention of Lisburn Court, and working with statutory and voluntary partners to develop services within Lisburn Courthouse.”