The largest civil court to be built for more than 100 years in England or Wales opens its doors for business on Wednesday.

The Manchester Civil Justice Centre is a state of the art landmark building with first class facilities in the heart of Manchester's business area.

The 14-floor building was designed by Australian architects Denton Corker Marshall following an international design competition. The Centre will hear civil cases such as major commercial and mercantile cases, business disputes, family law and family care cases, consumer disputes, personal injury claims and mediation in small claims cases.

Maria Eagle, Ministry of Justice, Courts' Minister said: "This new court shows our commitment to providing a first class justice system and to ensuring that users of civil courts in Manchester and the North West can resolve business and consumer disputes and ensure that the vulnerable are protected in family cases. The Centre will transform the way civil court work is done; rationalising all Manchester civil work into one building and ensuring cases are heard more quickly due to better facilities; more efficient listings; and more flexible use of courtrooms."

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Sir Ron De Witt, HMCS Chief Executive, said: "The Manchester Civil Justice Centre is a new flagship court for the North West. It is a court centre that we can be rightly proud of; the building and its facilities for court users are among the best in the world. The Centre is a symbol of the confidence we have in the civil justice system and the importance of ensuring that justice is delivered speedily and efficiently."

The new court has 47 court or hearing rooms, 76 consultation rooms, seven conference rooms, six suites for vulnerable witnesses video link facilities, a purpose built suite for mediation, offices for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and Manchester Advisory and Information Service.

Richard Knott, HMCS Greater Manchester Area Director, said:

"The Manchester Civil Justice Centre is part of the wider regeneration of our City. It is a court with a stunning design and superb facilities of which Manchester can be proud. The design of the building has already won many plaudits in the architectural trade press. Its central location is more convenient for court users and will save much travelling time."

High Court cases will be heard at the Centre which also be home to the Manchester District Registry and County Court; Manchester City Magistrates' Family Courts; the District Probate Registry; the mediation officer; and the Regional and Area Offices.

As the opening will provide a new home for Manchester County Court, currently co-located with the Crown Court, more courts will become available to hear criminal cases.

The Centre is an environmentally friendly building having achieved an 'excellent' BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Assessment Method) rating.

A formal opening ceremony for the Manchester Civil Justice Centre is planned for the spring 2008.

(GK/SP)