f=Clarion MT s=10 w=10 l=10.5HARINGEY Magistrates Court is to be axed as part of a radical shake-up of the London court system.o

In a controversial move, defendants and witnesses will have to travel to a new 'supercourt' serving north London which could be sited in Whetstone.

The supercourt will replace the existing Haringey Magistrates in Lordship Lane, Tottenham, which also houses Enfield Magistrates Court.

Highgate Magistrates at Bishops Road and Archway Road is also facing closure.

And both Barnet and Hendon Magistrates will also be shut down to make way for the supercourt.

The review of London's court network has been carried out by the Greater London Magistrates Court Authority (GLMCA).

It publishes a report today on the authority's strategic plan for all London's magistrates courts.

As Whetstone is close to all three boroughs, it is considered the ideal venue for the new court.

It is believed the proposed supercourt will contain 15 separate courts dealing with five areas.

It is understood that staff, who were to be informed of the plans as the Independent went to press, will be given the opportunity to be relocated.

The GLMCA believes re-structuring will speed up services, modernise courts and cut over-capacity.

Barnet Council has been charged with finding a site for the supercourt, and a Barnet College campus has been mooted as a potential venue.

Haringey police are to have urgent talks with the authorities over a possible drain on resources the closure of the courts could cause.

Superintendent Derek Benson said: "We will have to speak to our various partners whom we work and liaise closely with and discuss the implications the closure of Haringey Magistrates will have on our resources."