Manchester is due to be one of five new sites for regional branches of the Administrative Court. The centre is due to open from 21 April 2009. Other branches include Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff, and the fifth will open in Bristol in 2010. From April 2009, Lord Justice Langstaff and other High Court Judges will head the Manchester and Leeds centres. This will transfer much of the work currently dealt with solely by the Royal Courts of Justice to existing civil or combined courts. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Justice, as part of long term plans to improve access to justice countrywide. It is indeed an improvement, as access was previously limited to London alone. Alongside this it is expected that the new centres will operate at the same level of quality and efficiency as the London courts, with secure computer systems and ensuring quality legal services regardless of geographical and financial situation.

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