The Law Society of Northern Ireland and members of the local association of Derry solicitors had an emergency meeting with the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) earlier this week.

Londonderry Courthouse is set to close on 9 July and reopen at the beginning of September for essential maintenance to be carried out.

However, plans to relocate cases from Derry to Omagh or Coleraine over that period have been sharply criticised by local lawyers.

Following the meeting, Alan Hunter, chief executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, said: “The closure (albeit temporary) of Londonderry Courthouse, presents real and immediate issues for the citizens of Derry who require to attend Londonderry Court.

“Single parents with young children, adults with responsibility for caring for elderly or less able relatives, victims of crime and other witnesses are being required to travel over 30 miles to Omagh or Coleraine.

“This often requires public transport which can take an hour each way (plus waiting time) and sometimes together with other parties to the case on the same public transport.

“Local solicitors are greatly concerned about the implications for the lives of their clients and court users many of whom are vulnerable and facing points of crises in their lives.

“The Law Society and the local association of solicitors in Derry do not believe that it is workable to transfer business from Londonderry Courthouse to Omagh or Coleraine and have suggested that other options should be considered in the city such as libraries, council premises, schools or university premises.

“This situation highlights the need for a fully functioning and accessible Court estate that works for all members of the community.”