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The Law Courts

50 West Bar, Sheffield, S3 8PH

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Crown Courts (criminal law), County Courts (civil law), Court Offices including Bankruptcy, Personal Support Unit, Probate Office and District Judge Service.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a public dining room serving hot and cold snacks and drinks.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Sheffield.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) by revolving.
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • Adjacent to the revolving door is a 180cm pass door which is opened by security if required.
    • The door is glazed and under constant observation.
    • 3m from the entrance door is the security check. The security gates have a clear width of 75cm.
    • Wheelchair and mobility aid users are assisted by security staff who also record where in the building people who may need help in case of emergency will be.

Security Barriers

  • Visitors to Court buildings must pass through the security barriers. The barriers are 75cm wide. People with implants or pacemakers will be admitted separately and must not pass through the security system. People using mobility aids including wheelchairs will be admitted seperately.
  • Assistance dogs will be seperately admitted.
  • If any visitor has any special requirement they should phone or email the court and adequate provision will be made.
  • Any Court visitor with any mobility difficulty must inform security at the door to ensure help is available in case of emergency.

Reception

  • The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is not available only on request.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Main Entrance Foyer

  • The main foyer contains the reception desk, doors to the accessible toilet and private offices, doors to the Court Office, an information area, the lifts, doors to the County Court, District Judge Service and standard toilets, telephones, doors to the Probate Office and Jury Office and the feature staircase.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the rear of the entrance lobby.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2.
  • The lift is 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 160cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are two lift cars adjacent to each other.
    • The lifts are made of clear glass.

Court Office

  • Services provided from the Court Office are enquiries relating to Crown Court, County Court, bankruptcy proceedings and the Personal Support Unit.
  • Entrance doors to the Court Office area are 160cm wide, manual, light and open towards you.
  • Counters are 103cm high with a lower counter at 79cm.
  • There is a fixed induction loop.
  • Some seats in the waiting area have armrests.

Inside Access (Waiting Area Courts 11, 12, 13 and District Judge)

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is a drinking fountain to the left of the entrance door, 110 cm from the floor
    • Seating is low with no armrests.
    • The standard male and female toilets are to the left of the entrance doors.
    • The waiting area has consultation rooms opening off it.
    • The District Judge Service, which is strictly by prior appointment, is at the end of the room.

Inside Access (Probate Service)

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The cubicles may be too small for mobility aid users but an interview room is available with full access.

Eating and Drinking (Public Dining Room)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 12m (13yd 4in) from the the dining room entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 68cm (2ft 3in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 68cm (2ft 3in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Inside Access (Crown Court)

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The waiting area for Courts 2,3,4,5 and 6 is to the right of the lift
    • The waiting area for Courts 1,7,8,9 and 10 is to the left of the lift.

Courtroom

  • All courtrooms are of similar design.
  • Every court has an area for the public.
  • Crown Courts have a dock and a jury box.
  • Some of the courts have a platform lift for jurors to access the jury box.

Consultation Rooms

  • There are private consultation rooms lining all waiting areas for Crown and County Courts.

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located through the double doors beyond the reception desk to the right of the main foyer.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the reception desk.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door weight is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 190cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 3in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the sink is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)

Accessible Toilet (Second Floor)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 35m (38yd 10in) from the lift.
    • The accessible toilet is located off the waiting area to Courts 1,7,8,9 and 10 in the lobby to the female standard toilets.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards (automatically).
    • The door is push pad activated.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 200cm (5ft 7in x 6ft 7in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency alarm is fully functional.
    • It is not a push button style of alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the sink is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in this cubicle.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 98cm (3ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • There is an electric ceiling hoist in this cubicle.
    • Slings are attached by loops.

Standard Toilet(s) (Second Floor)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located outside the main entrance.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Home visits / services are not available.