By Hayley Robinson

The fight to save Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court is set to begin next month.

Solicitors from legal firm Robin Murray and Co have applied for permission for a judicial review to challenge the decision by the Ministry of Justice to close the court.

The decision comes after the High Court agreed to cap the fee for any unsuccessful case.

William Clegg QC has been hired to argue against the closure.

This is listed for a day and half and could be heard any time during the week starting May 23.

Robin Murray and Co partner Simon Holmes said: "Before we were walking in with unlimited liability, now we know what it is, it makes the whole thing possible.

"The costs are now thousands as opposed to tens of thousands. We have faith in our argument."

The move has been welcomed by long-serving Sittingbourne magistrate John Fassenfelt.

He said: "This is about depriving the community of a facility and the point we want to emphasis is it deprives local victims and witnesses."

The Ministry of Justice announced in December that the court would close in May, with cases sent Canterbury or Medway.