A CONSULTATION into possible Local Justice Area boundary changes is due to end tomorrow, Friday 13th November.

The consultation paper is open to response to court users, judiciary, magistrates, stage, and criminal justice agency practitioners.

Local Justice Areas are used to determine which courts will hear particular cases.

Gwent Magistrates unanimously supported option one of the consultation as the only viable option. This proposes to do nothing, keeping the Local Justice Area as it is, with no area changes for the time being.

Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay said: “I fully support the reasoning of our local magistrates, and will be responding to the consultation this week to support maintaining the status quo.

“I see no great reasons for changing the areas which would be a leap in the dark with unknown costs and consequences for justice in Monmouthshire and the whole Greater Gwent area.

“Our local magistrates have the interests of local people and their access to justice as their prime concern, and I’m more than happy to support their views on this issue. We’ve seen the effect of justice changes in court provision here before and any further changes would not be welcomed.”