Some London courts to shut down during 2012 games

LONDON – Law courts near Olympic venues in London will reduce the number of cases they hear during the 2012 Summer Games.

Criminal courts near key venues and travel hubs will begin the reduction on July 23 — five days ahead of the Olympics' July 27 opening and continue until the games end Aug. 12. The reduction will reduce the number of jurors, victims, defendants and lawyers who have to travel to central London during the games.

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service said Monday that urgent cases would still be heard.

Southwark Crown Court, near the London Bridge station that will take many spectators to the games, will shut nine of its 14 courts. Snaresbrook, three miles (4.8 kilometers) from Olympic Park, will use five or six of its 21 courts.