THE proposed closure of Bury Magistrates’ Court and County Court will “deepen the inequalities in the justice system”, according to the Law Society.

On the day a 12-week government consultation into plans closes, Law Society president Jonathan Smithers has said that closing the courts would most adversely affect lower income families and people with disabilities.

Under the plans announced in July, the magistrates’ court’s workload would be transferred to Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court, nine miles away in Manchester city centre. Cases at Bury County Court - which was previously saved from closure in 2010 - would be moved to Manchester County Court, located within the Manchester Civil Justice Centre.

In total, the plans would see 91 courts and tribunals closed across England and Wales, and 31 more integrated or merged.

Mr Smithers said: "The proposed closure of Bury Magistrates’ Court and County Court will make it more difficult for a significant number people to get to court, and the closures will more adversely affect people with disabilities and lower income families.

"Combined with the further planned increases in court fees and reductions in eligibility for legal aid, this closure will serve to deepen the inequalities in the justice system between those who can and cannot afford to pay.

"No matter who you are, no matter where you live, everyone in England and Wales must be able to access legal advice and the justice system."

The society has also expressed concerns that closing Bury’s courts, which also serve Rochdale, would force 60 per cent of court users to travel for up to two hours on public transport to reach Manchester.

They also say that the purpose-built courthouse would be difficult to sell were it to close, and that the costs of making its 55 staff redundant would be high.

A spokesman added: “The Law Society reiterates its concerns about the impact of longer, more expensive journey times on victims, witnesses, defendants and jurors, particularly those on low incomes.

“Our members in the North West are strongly opposed to the closure of this court. We understand that local authorities in the area and local MPs are also opposed to the closure.

“We cannot understand why Ministry of Justice is proposing to close a purpose-built court and transfer the workload to Salford Magistrates Court and Manchester County Court, both of which will require additional enabling work to provide similar facilities to Bury.”

As an alternative, society members have suggested keeping Bury Courthouse open and transferring work from Bolton County Court and Family Court there, should the closure of the latter go ahead. This, they say, would be more convenient for local people and judges, and increase the use of Bury Courthouse.