29/01/2009
Senior legal figures in Manchester yesterday celebrated the establishment of a new Administrative Court in the city which reinforces Manchester’s position as one of the key UK legal centres outside of London.
Judges, barristers and lawyers attended the official launch event at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre hosted by Mr Justice Langstaff and Mr Justice Irwin.
Cases dealt with in the Administrative Court are some of the most important in the whole court system. The opening of a new Administrative Court in Manchester will greatly increase access to justice. It is expected that cases will be determined quicker and at lower cost by using the new court and will also allow local parties to have their disputes resolved by their local court to the same high standard presently offered by the court in London.
Senior clerk Sarah Wright said "The Administrative Court is set to commence sittings in Manchester in April 2009. Practically, this means that from now on, cases concerning claimants or defendants in this region should indicate on the claim form that the case can be heard in Manchester. This is an excellent opportunity; after many many years of campaigning on the basis that there was both the volume of regional cases and the expertise in public law within the legal community, counsel and solicitors in the region can now have High Court cases heard locally".
Barristers from Garden Court North chambers regularly appear in the Administrative Court in public law challenges to administrative decision making in the fields of social housing, prison law, asylum and immigration, community care, crime and social welfare. Pete Weatherby recently appeared in the high profile judicial review of Justice Secretary Jack Straw’s decision on his power to pardon Michael Shields and members have also appeared in a number of important Judicial Reviews in cases concerning asylum support , indeterminate prison sentences and control orders .
> Garden Court North Chambers public law team
> Garden Court North Chambers public law / judicial review reported and notable cases
> Map / Directions to CJC Manchester see: HM Court Service information page for Manchester Civil Justice Centre (select "Manchester County Court" from the drop down list)
> 29/1/09 Arrival of new court welcomed by Manchester legal world - Crain's Manchester