Sutton Magistrates’ Court has been handed a reprieve after the most senior judge in England questioned its closure.

Lord Chief Justice Judge threw doubt on the court’s potential closure in a report which claims neighbouring courts could absorb additional casework from Sutton.

The report also indicated it could make better financial sense to move some of the work to Croydon Magistrates' Court which is only four miles away.

The report said: “The local bench are wholly opposed to closure and feel they have not been provided with sufficient information to make an informed response to the consultation paper “I understand the many concerns they have raised, but am also conscious that difficult decisions need to be taken and, given the excellent travel links to Croydon, I think it is difficult to justify retention, if the workload can readily be absorbed.”

Sutton’s magistrates and both MPs have rallied round the beleagured courthouse in the hope of saving it from closure - which could happen as early as February next year.

Pat Cook, chairman of the Sutton bench, said the magistrates had firmly rejected proposals which would see their court closed, along with 10 others in the capital.

She said: “The proposals for the wholesale closure of courts are short-sighted and will not deliver the savings that are claimed by HM Court Service. The consultation paper is short on reliable formation.

“Facts given are either incorrect or exaggerated to bolster their weak case. We have put forward alternative proposals that would see the court being retained with some of the space being used by tribunals or civil courts.”

The Government hopes to save its annual operating cost of more than £340,000 a year, plus an extra £90,000 for maintenance work.

But Sutton’s criminal court is in fact the tenth cheapest court in the capital out of 33 and This compares to West London, Brent, Thames and Camberwell Green which all cost more than £1m to run each year.

In addition, the court has the fifth lowest outstanding maintenance bill, of £88,000, in London