The Government has recommended closing St Albans County Court.

Court and tribunal buildings are being recommended for closure in a consultation published today by Courts Minister, Shailesh Vara.

The buildings being consulted on represent 16 per cent of hearing rooms across the estate in England and Wales, which are, on average, used for only a third of their available time.

Courts and Tribunals Minister, Shailesh Vara, said: “We are reforming the courts and tribunal service so that it meets the needs of modern day users.

“Access to justice is not just about attending court. As we bring in digital technology for better and more efficient access to justice, fewer people will need to physically be in a court.

“This means that we will need fewer buildings, and with many already underused and in poor quality, now is a good time to review the estate.”

Natalie Ceeney, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive, added: “Our estate is a significant asset. We currently have a number of surplus buildings and this consultation puts forward proposals on their future.

“As we modernise our service so that fewer people will need to attend a court in person, spending money on unsuitable or rarely used buildings is not good value for money for taxpayers.

“I encourage anyone with an interest to respond to the proposals”.

The courts and tribunal service is being modernised, and alternatives will include using modern technology such as video conferencing to give evidence, and using other local civic and public buildings, such as town halls, for hearings, instead of underused and poorly maintained buildings.

In Hertfordshire, the future of Watford Magistrates' Court is also in doubt.

In Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury Magistrates' Court (pictured), County Court and Family Court is under threat, and in Bedfordshire, Bedford and Mid Beds Magistrates' Court and Family Court and Bedford County Court and Family Court.

A consultation will last for 12 weeks and will close on October 8.