By Jonny Manning

Copyright bbc

Almost two-thirds (63%) of those who took part in the report’s survey said they had experienced delays in cases being heard due to the poor state of courts.

The Law Society said cases being adjourned or moved had led to people being denied access to justice, with many at risk of losing their jobs or homes.

The report rated magistrates’ courts in Uxbridge and Manchester as the worst.

“Manchester Magistrates’ Court has a rat infestation,” one respondent said.

“The cells regularly become overwhelmed, with vans queued up outside and suspects having to urinate in bags.”

Courts in Doncaster, Preston, Lancashire and Harrow were also found to have problems relating to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

One in five respondents said technology in courts was not fit for purpose, with prison video link systems failing to work and buildings suffering a shortage of plug sockets.

Meanwhile solicitors with a disability were significantly more likely to find the physical state of the courts “not at all fit” for purpose, largely due to a lack of ramps and working lifts.