Policy background City of London Courthouses
The City of London currently provides three court buildings to HMCTS under a statutory provision. The City of London is working in partnership with HMCTS to provide a flagship new court building on Fleet Street. The Mayor’s and City of London Court and the City of London Magistrates’ Court are ageing, grade two listed buildings. Their heritage status imposes operational restrictions and they provide only four courtrooms each. The new court will be a purpose built 18 room centre with technology suitable for the needs of modern justice.
	This measure will revoke provisions which currently place duties on the Corporation to provide county and magistrates’ court capacity at the current locations. There will be a transitional period when HMCTS is occupying existing sites and has taken on the lease of the new building and is completing fitting-out works. Court hearings will then move to the new site when it is ready for occupation; at this stage the duty on the City of London regarding the existing buildings will cease. Obligations in relation to the replacement courthouse and accommodation will be governed by contractual arrangements.
	The Central Criminal Court has formed no part of the discussions between HMCTS and the City of London and is to remain.