Magistrates court set to reopen after repair delays

A magistrates court that closed at the beginning of the year will reopen this week after delayed refurbishment works were completed.

Oxford Magistrates' Court closed in January for "vital improvement works", including a roof replacement, and was initially set to be closed for about six months.

But in August, HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) said the site would not be ready to reopen until November - with cases continuing to be heard at other local courts, including at Reading Magistrates' Court.

HMCTS has now confirmed that Oxford Magistrates' will reopen on Monday, with listings for hearings taking place that day posted online on Friday.

"We completed vital repair works at the site, which is expected to reopen early next week," a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.

The BBC understands that delays to the project earlier this year came after contractors identified the need for additional works to ensure the site was fit for public use once open.

The improvements make up part of a £148.5m nationwide MoJ maintenance programme to improve the condition of court buildings across the country.

During the closure, hearings were accommodated at sites across the Thames Valley - including Reading, High Wycombe and Milton Keynes.