Downpatrick court closes

Downpatrick court closes

1 April 2020

DOWNPATRICK Courthouse has been closed for the foreseeable future because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision is in line with the announcement made by the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, that most courts across Northern Ireland are to close.

From last Thursday only courts in Craigavon, Dungannon, Londonderry and Laganside in Belfast were open for business.

Lord Chief Justice Morgan said members of the public should not attend court, even though their names may appear on court lists.

Instead, he advised their cases would be adjourned without them needing to attend.

“Similar guidance has also been issued to the Law Society and the Bar Council,” he said.

“Until further notice only urgent matters will be heard and these are likely to be undertaken remotely using live link, telephone, Sightlink, Zoom or BTMeetme”.

Any urgent matters needing a hearing will be “determined by the relevant judge”, Lord Chief Justice Morgan added.