DOLGELLAU Magistrates court is set to be axed despite a wave of local protests.

In a report released today by HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Dolgellau Magistrate Court is one of 10 courts in Wales which will close imminently.

The HMCTS says it is trying to establish ‘alternative provision’ for legal services in the local community before the doors of the court close for good

The report states: “The Lord Chancellor has decided that Dolgellau Crown and Magistrates’ Court should be closed, once suitable local alternative provision is established, and its work moved to Caernarfon Criminal Justice Centre with future consideration being given to work originating from the south of Dolgellau catchment area moving to Aberystwyth Justice Centre”.

Despite strong protestations from local politicians, legal minds and residents, the grade-II listed court building will no longer function as a courthouse.

Dolgellau’s court attendees will now face a 90 mile round trip to Caernarfon Criminal Justice Centre or a 70 mile round trip to Aberystwyth.

The report concedes that public transport links are poor in Gwynedd and has attempted to solve this problem by recommending conducting court business via “phone or the internet”.

Outside concerns about access to justice, the paper notes that several participants in the public consultation were worried about the negative effect closing the court might have on the Welsh language.

Defending the court closures, justice minister Shailesh Vara said: “Our courts and tribunal system is in need of urgent reform.

“Maintaining our underused and dilapidated court buildings costs the taxpayer £500 million a year but some courts sit for less than half the time available.

“This is simply unsustainable.

“Closing these courts in poor quality buildings will raise £40 million to re-invest in the justice system, and save hard-working taxpayers £27 million per year.

“The decision to close a court is never taken lightly, but in the digital age I am confident we have measures in place to ensure access to justice is not diminished.”