Early hearings at Oxford Magistrates’ Court are to be abolished to save time and money.

Previously those accused of more serious crimes would have a committal hearing at a magistrates’ court before standing trial at a crown court.

But yesterday it was announced the hearings would be scrapped in Oxford along with 29 other areas.

The hearings were abolished in four areas in June and will be phased out across the rest of England and Wales over the next year. The changes will mean around 60,000 fewer hearings will be needed each year nationally.

Criminal Justice Minister Damian Green said: “Abolishing committal hearings is another one of the steps we are taking to make justice swift and sure, and to ensure our courts run efficiently and effectively for victims, witnesses and the taxpayers whose money funds them.

“The justice system needs continued improvement, and this announcement is an important step forward.”

Oxford Magistrates’ Court has also adopted more flexible court operating hours during evenings and weekends.