MORE than £300,000 will be spent improving the court facilities in Douglas to accommodate an increase in demand for court and tribunal space.

The Department of Infrastructure has received Tynwald approval to carry out alterations to the General Registries Building which is expected to cost £346,000.

Improvements include independent access for the judiciary, waiting areas and meeting space for advocates within the existing buildings.

The ground floor at Murray House on Mount Havelock will be remodeled and newly fitted out so that legal aid and tribunal staff can be relocated from the General Registries Building.

Tim Crookall MHK, Political Member with responsibility for properties, said: "The chief registrar highlighted a requirement for further court space to be made available for the expanding requirements of the courts service. 

"This project will help satisfy the need by providing the ability to concurrently operate two independent courts in the registries building.

"The department has worked with the chief registrar to develop the scheme adopting the principle of maximising the use of existing facilities rather than considering any new build in this particular instance.

"The scheme which will be delivered by the private sector is further evidence of the department's support to the Island's construction industry."

The project will start at the beginning of February and will be completed by the end of May.

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