MP says delays to crown court repairs 'scandalous'

Taunton Crown Court will be closed until at least July 2026

An MP said it was "scandalous" repairs to a crown court will take at least another year, causing delays to cases and affecting victims and families.

Taunton Crown Court, housed within Shire Hall on the Upper High Street, has been closed since September 2023 after contractors uncovered "serious structural issues" with the flooring.

Criminal cases and divorce hearings have been delayed due to the repairs, which are expected to last until at least July 2026.

Taunton MP Gideon Amos said the court building "was left to crumble by the government". However, the Ministry of Justice said that the planned repairs would make the building more accessible.

The closure of the court is affecting people in different ways, Lee Baker said

Lee Baker, a solicitor at Amicus Law in Taunton, said: "A lot of our clients mention it's affecting their mental well-being, both the victims and the defendants want closure on these cases, not for it to be kicked on for what can be 12 months."

He added that it is affecting people in different ways.

"Where you have divorce cases delayed, houses can't be sold, there's an economic knock-on effect in the area. There might be vulnerable children involved. Judges can't make decisions on where they're placed," Mr Baker said.

Mr Amos said he has been promised completion of the repairs 12 months from now by the government.

"I'm determined to ensure we get the best possible outcome for our county town," Mr Amos added.

"I will be keeping a careful watch on progress from here on - making sure Taunton can't be ignored."

The Ministry of Justice said that the repairs would "improve the experience of coming to court for local communities, offering more accessible facilities and improving the resilience of the building for the future".