Sheffield courts close after burst water pipe causes flood

The Law Courts will be closed until Wednesday for repairs

Sheffield Crown Court has been forced to close after it was flooded by a burst water pipe, the courts service said.

The court shut on Friday and is not expected to reopen until Wednesday.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) said all hearings had been adjourned "with the exception of two urgent cases".

It added: "We apologise for any inconvenience this causes."

It is the second time in two years that a burst water pipe has caused the closure of the complex in West Bar, which also houses the County Court.

In March 2022, it was shut 10 days after the nearby magistrates' building was also closed due to a leak.

Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: "We are seeing the degradation of the courts estate across England and Wales due to decades of underinvestment.

"Floods, ceilings caving in, broken heating, mould - the list of the examples we hear from our members goes on."

A HMCTS spokesperson said: "We spent over £175m on court maintenance and repairs in the two years to April 2023, and are investing a further £220 million over the next two years to maintain the heritage of the estate while ensuring it is equipped with the latest technology to deliver modern justice, as well as improving accessibility for all court users."