The city’s 200-year-old courthouse was temporarily shut for maintenance of the ventilation system, with family and youth business relocated to Coleraine Courthouse and other cases to Omagh Courthouse over the eight-week closure period.

The Court Service said that the closure was planned over the summer recess to minimise disruption for court users.

However, there were concerns before the closure about the potential impact on complainants, witnesses, defendants and lawyers, who would face a 110 mile round trip for hearings.

The local bar association also raised concerns about the fact there was no consultation and a failure to consider other venues.

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) said yesterday that normal business is due to resume on Monday, September 3.

Solicitor Ciaran Hampson, secretary of the local bar association told the Derry Journal: “We welcome the news that the work appears to have been completed on time in order to faciliate all court users.”

He added: “The eight week closure has given rise to certain difficulties during that period, but the assistance of judges and court staff has mitigated it to a degree.”