RETIRING judge Peter Urquhart used a speech at the Leigh Law Society annual dinner to criticise the closure of the local courts in the town.
Judge Urquhart called the decision to shut the magistrates' court in Leigh "very sad". He told the audience of solicitors and barristers at the Greyhound Hotel in Leigh that local justice was important and regretted that the decision had been taken.
As reported in The Journal, the courts are due to close on March 30 despite a huge campaign backed by The Journal, leading lawyers, magistrates and Wigan Council.
The courts have been in operation since 1876.
All cases will be transferred to Wigan Magistrates Courts.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article