Final securing of the steel frame of new Civil Justice Centre in Bristol
(04/05/2009)

The Civil Justice Centre in Bristol, being built by Miller Construction (UK) Ltd for Scottish Widows PLC on behalf of HMCS, will provide 9 civil courts; 6 hearing rooms and a family proceeding court. The new facility will replace the existing accommodation at Greyfriars and Guildhall.

Lord Justice Leveson, Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales, has completed the final securing of the steel frame of the new Civil Justice Centre. The securing of the final bolt in the steel structure marks a significant milestone, the completion of the highest point in the structure being reached. Once complete the Centre, which is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, will provide modern facilities with a piazza area and basement parking facilities, works commenced on the site in May 2008 and are due for completion in Spring 2010.

Miller Construction (UK) Ltd, the main contractor, was joined on site by Lord Justice Leveson; The Honourable Mr Justice Royce, Presiding Judge for the South West; Mr Rod White, Area Director and Mrs Helen Andrews, Court Manager and a number of the leading Judges and dignitaries from Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS) to witness the final bolt being secured in place of the £25m, 6 storey building.

Lord Justice Leveson said: “I am very pleased to see these new Court facilities, which will improve the level of service for court users in Bristol and the surrounding area by providing a modern, well-equipped, environment, suitable for dispensing justice in the 21st Century. Bristol is a major commercial centre, so it's important that the civil justice centre is equipped for resolving disputes, whether at a business level or between individual parties."

Kevin Dickson, Miller Construction (UK) Ltd, Director for the South West Region, commented: “The Civil Justice Centre will become a landmark building in Bristol and the quality of the finishes will be some of the very best in the area. The project is progressing well and we are delighted to have been joined today by Lord Justice Leveson in order that he and his fellow judiciary could see for themselves the progress being made and get an early feel for the building. This project will also be a significant catalyst in the redevelopment of the Redcliff area.”

Chris Richards of Hanover Cube, the Development Manager on behalf of Scottish Widows, said: “it is great to be able to witness the completion of the frame following all the hard work from the team to date and I am confident that their drive and commitment will continue in order to deliver a fantastic building of which we can all be proud.”