Sheffield Magistrates' Court building forced to close for three days due to leaks and health and safety issues

It was announced yesterday, Monday, March 14, that the court building on Castle Street was closed and would remain shut on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

A message from delivery manager Jen Twomey stated: “It has become necessary to close the Sheffield Magistrates’ Court building this morning due to several leaks and health and safety issues that arose.”

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She said work would be relocated where possible, with some trials being delayed and other cases being moved to Sheffield Combined Courts Centre, which houses the crown court, and to Barnsley and Doncaster magistrates’ courts.

She added: “I am sorry for the inconvenience caused to you by these contingency arrangements and I would like to thank you all for your patience and co-operation.”

Anyone phoning Sheffield Magistrates’ Court today was met with a recorded message telling them: “Our building is closed today but our staff are working from home and can answer emails.”

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh said: “It’s absolutely absurd that Sheffield Magistrates’ Court was forced to close yesterday because of the sheer state and disrepair of the building.

“The Government has failed to invest in the justice system and once again it’s victims that will be paying the price.”

It is not known how many hearings have been delayed as a result of the building’s closure.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “Sheffield Magistrates’ Court has been temporarily closed because of a maintenance issue we are working urgently to address. Cases are still going ahead and have been moved to Sheffield Combined Court, Barnsley and Doncaster.

The MoJ added that the roof of the building remained ‘intact and safe’, and solicitors had been able to apply to remotely attend hearings which were moved outside of Sheffield.

It said that in 2020/21, HM Courts & Tribunals Service had received £105 million of additional funding for building improvements, taking total capital spend on the estate to more than £150m for the year, which it said was the biggest single investment in the last two decades.