Courts to close on funeral day

All courts in England and Wales will close on the day of the Queen Mother's funeral as a mark of respect, it was announced today.

A spokesman for the Lord Chancellor's Department said: "The High Court, Crown Court, county courts and tribunals within the department will be closed for the day of the funeral."

Magistrates courts, which are run at local level, will also shut their doors.

The spokesman added: "The urgent court business scheme will operate to take emergency matters, such as emergency family applications.

"Flags will be flown at half mast until the end of Tuesday."

The decision to close will apply to all courts, regardless of whether jurors are in the middle of deliberations.