University accommodates temporary court
Hull University has opened its doors as a “Nightingale Court”, joining the national effort to tackle the impact of coronavirus on the justice system.
The new site will be in the university’s recently revamped, Victorian-era Canham Turner building.
It will provide an extra courtroom that will hear civil and family cases – providing additional capacity at Hull Combined Crown Court.
Temporary Nightingale courts, have been set up across the country to enable more socially distanced trials to take place, ensuring justice continues to be served.
Courts Minister, Chris Philp MP, said: “I am grateful to Hull University for joining the national effort to reduce delays and deliver speedier justice for victims in Humberside.
“This is having a real impact and the number of crown court cases being heard across England and Wales is now back up to what it was before the pandemic struck last spring.
“We are also cutting backlogs in the magistrates’ courts where most cases are heard.”
The move forms part of a £110m investment to deliver 40 Nightingale court rooms and funds a range of measures to address the number of outstanding cases.
These efforts will be supported by an extra £337m announced in the Government’s recent Spending Review to deliver swifter justice and support victims, while £76m will further increase capacity in family courts and tribunals.
