Nature disrupts justice
The court system has felt the wrath of heavy flooding over the festive period, forcing three criminal courts to close.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed on its website that three courts — Carlisle Magistrates’ Court (pictured), York Magistrates’ Court and Kendal Courthouse — remain closed following relentless flooding across the North of England and Scotland, after the country was hit by record rainfall.
All three courts are situated close to rivers. It is not known when they will open again.
Court users have been made aware of the closures. Scheduled cases will be heard at a number of other venues including Carlisle Combined Court and Harrogate Justice Centre.
Weeks of heavy rain have culminated in extreme flooding across England and Scotland. Hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes, and thousands have been left without power.
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged £40mil to fix flood defences “to make them more resilient”.