A council legal chief has written a scathing letter over plans to shut a magistrates’ court, accusing the government of making justice inaccessible for the people of Dartford.

Marie Kelly-Stone, head of legal services at Dartford council, has written to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) with a long list of concerns regarding the proposed closure of Dartford Magistrates’ Court.

Ms Kelly-Stone’s letter is in response to the MoJ’s 12-week consultation to shut the building for good. It will be discussed by the council’s cabinet at a meeting in the Civic Centre, Home Gardens, tonight (Thursday).

The magistrates’ court in Highfield Road serves north Kent but in recent years an increasing number of cases have been transferred to Medway and hearings at Dartford scaled back.

It is part of a national review of the service. In Kent, Dover Magistrates’ Court and Tunbridge Wells County and Family Court are also at risk.

Ms Kelly-Stone’s correspondence, published in a council report, said: “It is ironic that such moves should take place in the year when the country is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the spirit of which greatly favoured accessible justice for all.”

She also said: "Justice should be seen to be done within the community and justice delivered and reported locally."

One of her concerns is that moving to Medway permanently could cut down on participation from the public, including from defendants and witnesses.

She said: "There is the inadequacy of public transport links, problems of onward connections and risks of different parties having to share public transport.

"There is also the environmental impact of additional travel, the impact of inclement weather on travel arrangements and the potential need for overnight accommodation."

Ms Kelly-Stone said travelling to Medway could harshly affect deprived members of the community.

She said: "A number of court users will be adversely affected by the closure and deprived an ability to access local justice – 19% of households in the borough do not have access to a car and so have to rely on public transport – many of these households will be amongst the most vulnerable in the area (low income households, the elderly or people with disabilities)."

Ms Kelly-Stone also made reference to the reduction in legal aid which was made under the former justice minister Chris Grayling.

She said: "The council is also concerned that other reforms, such as the reduction in legal aid and the recent increases in court fees cumulatively, could have the effect of reducing access to justice.

"Such moves may, in the long term, if not carefully monitored, ultimately undermine the concept of rule of law in this country, as ever increasing numbers are denied the opportunity of seeking justice due to financial restraints and travel difficulties."