LEGAL workers believe they have submitted a strong case in response to Government proposals to close the St Helens' Courthouse.

The group has sent the documents to the ministry of justice, whose consultation on proposals to close St Helens Magistrates' and County Courts ends on Thursday, October 8.

It was announced in July that the Corporation Street courts are among 91 courts and tribunals across England and Wales earmarked for closure, with the aim of reducing what Justice Secretary Michael Gove described as "surplus capacity".

Around 70 people – including solicitors, judges, clients and MP Marie Rimmer – gathered together outside the courts to show the strength and breadth of feeling for retaining the town's courts.

Jennifer Ryan, a partner at Haygarth Jones solicitors, said: "Part of this consultation is around buildings being 'fit for purpose'.

"This is a purpose-built courthouse and it had a £1.7million refit three years ago which brought it up-to-date in terms of technology, including things like wifi.

"If the court closes, this has been a waste of all that taxpayers' money. We have asked to see the business plan for the refit and we want to know what has changed since then."

She added: "The court building is not easily adaptable - it was built with cells underneath. If it's sold off, who would develop it?

"It would likely be left derelict in the town."

Joanne Ellis, of Stephensons solicitors, said: "The court's annual running costs are £285,000. My calculations of court fees based on housing cases alone – which are just a small part of it – come to more than this, so the costs are more than covered."

She explained the court users' document questions the 62 per cent usage figure attributed to the court by the Government and also challenges the presumption that all people can travel by car.

She said: "We think stats have been manipulated and the usage figure is higher than this. It is a very well used court.

"The consultation says people could get to Liverpool in an hour or less - this doesn't allow for people who have to use public transport.

"The consultation also assumes everyone has access to digital communication. Just 60 per cent of our clients were able to provide an email address for us to contact them on last month."

She added: "Some members of the public think people who use courts have done something wrong.

"But this isn't the case - all kinds of people use courts - witnesses, parents, children or tenants."