A controversial merger of the Wrexham and Flintshire Magistrates’ Benches could be legally challenged.
The news has emerged as Wrexham MP Ian Lucas revealed he has written to the Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling, asking him to reconsider the proposal because of the impact it would have upon the Wrexham area.
Mr Lucas has been a long standing opponent of the proposed merger and has made submissions to both a formal consultation – which was withdrawn – and the later, informal, consultation which the Ministry of Justice ran.
In his letter to Mr Grayling, Mr Lucas states: “This is a matter with profound implications to Wrexham, the largest town in North Wales, yet your department seems to have taken as many steps as possible to limit knowledge of the proposals.”
Mr Lucas also queries if legal advice has been taken about the appropriateness of the merger proceeding without proper consultation.
Speaking today, he said: “It is legally very strange for a full consultation to be run formally, withdrawn because of a lack of support, and for an informal consultation to be run in its place.
“Yet that is what has taken place in Wrexham. This could have profound implications for Wrexham people – whether that is the court staff who face uncertainty over their jobs, the cost to all those involved in court cases having to make additional journeys to Flintshire, or indeed the impact upon our town’s legal professionals.
“It is little wonder that the possibility of a legal challenge to the proposals is now being seriously discussed in Wrexham.”
