Liverpool Crown Court scored highly for helpful, diligent and friendly staff, facilities and cleanliness, and efficiency and management
Liverpool Crown Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A blistering report from The Law Society has described the current state of court buildings as “shambolic” and “not fit for purpose”. Mould, broken-down toilets, rotting seagull carcasses and cells flooding with excrement were just some of the complaints logged in the 2025 report, which surveyed court staff on their current conditions.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of respondents said they had experienced delays in cases being heard in the past 12 months due to the state of the courts. Cases were adjourned, delayed, moved online or transferred to different venues.
The Law Society said clients and victims were “left in limbo” and denied access to justice as a result, with many at risk of losing jobs, facing insecure housing situations and wasting both time and money. The authority said: “A vital public service is being left to stagnate, compounding the harm caused by these delays.”
But Liverpool Crown Court proved an exception, as it was ranked among the best court buildings in England and Wales by staff.
One civil servant said: “There is an obvious need in terms of maintenance. There are aspects of the building that require decorating and upgrading. However, building functions efficiently on a daily basis.”
The court received top marks for helpful, diligent and friendly staff, facilities and cleanliness, and efficiency and management. Other top-rated court buildings included Grimsby Magistrates, IAC Birmingham, and Salisbury.
On the other end of the scale, Uxbridge Magistrates and Manchester Magistrates were ranked among the worst court buildings in the country by dissatisfied staff.
One Manchester Magistrates staff member said: “The buildings are literally crumbling. Manchester Magistrates’ Court has a rat infestation. The cells regularly become overwhelmed with vans queued up outsides and suspects having to urinate in bags. The whole criminal court estate is not fit for purpose.
“The click share rarely works. The video link system with the prison rarely if ever allows for a pre and post court conference. The prosecution papers are rarely uploaded on time and there are zero consequences when they are not, so the system has been allowed to collapse.”
A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson said: “This government inherited a justice system in crisis but is working flat out to ensure our courts and tribunals are safe, secure, and equipped with the latest technology.
“We have already boosted capital funding to £148.5m and carried out around one million maintenance visits this year to make our buildings become, fit for everyone who uses them.”
The MoJ recently announced a nationwide £148.5m maintenance programme to address neglected court buildings. Some of the projects funded with this money include a £14m investment for a new roof at Nottingham Crown, modern upgrades to courtrooms at Manchester Crown, and better heating and air conditioning at Willesden Magistrates.
Wirral Magistrates’ Court(Image: 2015 Getty Images)
In Merseyside, Wirral Magistrates’ Court in Birkenhead, which would typically deal with lower-level cases in the Wirral area, remains closed following a structural review more than a year ago. A notice posted on the front doors said: “Due to building issues this courthouse is closed. If you are due to be in court, you will be contacted with a new date.”
Lawyers, witnesses and defendants alike must journey across the River Mersey to magistrates courts in Liverpool and Sefton, where Wirral cases are currently being held.
A HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson said: “Wirral Magistrates’ Court was temporarily closed due to essential maintenance works on the roof. During this process, additional work was identified that must be completed.
“We will not risk the safety of the public and we are working to install all necessary safety measures. We will reopen the court building as soon as it is safe to do so.”