A decision on the future of ­Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court is expected to be announced by the High Court tomorrow (Friday) .

The argument to save the court from closure was heard at the High Court on Wednesday, May 25, just three days before it actually closed its doors.

William Clegg QC argued the case on behalf of solicitors from Robin ­Murray and Co. The North Kent legal firm ­instigated a judicial review to challenge the ­Ministry of ­Justice’s decision to close the Park Road site.

This came after the High Court agreed to cap the fee for an unsuccessful review.

The government announced in December the court would close, with cases transferred to either Medway or Canterbury courts.

Lord Justice Goldring, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales was asked to respond to the ministry’s ­consultation to shut 157 courts.

He echoed arguments by Swale ­magistrates, who said ­people in ­villages outside ­Sittingbourne and on Sheppey would have ­journeys of two hours to ­Canterbury or Chatham.

They said it went against the ministry’s own guidelines that no defendant should have to travel more than 60 minutes.

Travel times the ministry quoted were from Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court.

He also pointed out that Sittingbourne has disabled access, meets ministry criteria for ­facilities and is in use for more than 80 per cent of the time.