Edward Davey MP fears "massacre" of courts

Mr Davey, who represents Kingston and Surbiton, said they would "massacre" London's courtrooms.

The GLMCA says closures of up to 29 courts are needed because of a 30% over-capacity.

It has just completed a second phase of a consultation exercise into closing some courts and will make a decision next month.

Options put forward range from keeping the status quo to creating one central supercourt, although the authority is likely to opt for a compromise.

Mr Davey said the measures could add up to "the total demolition of the idea of local justice in London".

Tory Richard Ottaway (Croydon S) warned against closing courts across his area and taking away local justice.

"An entire swathe of South London would have no courts," he said.

Wills: Local justice important

Labour's Linda Perham (Iford N), a former JP, said she had received protests about the proposals from a wide range of constituents.

She was concerned closing a local court would leave vulnerable victims, such as the elderly, having to travel miles into central London to give evidence.

Junior Lord Chancellor's Department minister Michael Wills said locality of justice was important, but one of a range of considerations.

If the system was to be efficient and delivered in well equipped, secure buildings without delays, then the government had to look, sometimes radically, at the system inherited, he said.

Mr Wills said: "We are determined to continue our programme of modernisation putting the interests of local justice at the forefront."