Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to use alternative buildings to create more court capacity to enable social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak.

We are working hard to ensure that justice can continue to be done under these challenging circumstances. HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) officials are looking at how we make the best possible use of the existing estate, as well as creating more capacity. This means considering whether any recently closed courts which are still owned by HMCTS are suitable for reopening, and identifying alternative spaces to further extend provision.