Justices of the Peace Act 1997 (repealed)

Part IIIE+W Magistrates’ courts committees

[F1 Introductory]E+W

[F227 Introduction.E+W

Magistrates’ courts committees shall have—

(a)such functions as are conferred or imposed on them by or under this Act or any other enactment; and

(b)such other functions relating to matters of an administrative character as they may be authorised by the Lord Chancellor to undertake.]

F3 Magistrates’ courts committees outside Greater LondonE+W

F427A Committees.E+W

(1)England and Wales outside Greater London shall be divided into areas for each of which there shall be a magistrates’ courts committee.

(2)The areas of the committees shall be as specified by the Lord Chancellor by order made by statutory instrument.

(3)Each area outside Greater London for which there is a magistrates’ courts committee shall—

(a)consist of the whole of one or more commission areas or be included wholly within a single commission area; and

(b)comprise the whole of one or more petty sessions areas.

F527B Alteration of committee areas.E+W

(1)A magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London may at any time submit to the Lord Chancellor written proposals for the alteration of their area.

(2)Before submitting such proposals, the magistrates’ courts committee shall consult—

(a)the magistrates for their area or any other magistrates’ courts committee area to which the proposals relate;

(b)any other magistrates’ courts committee to which the proposals relate; and

(c)every relevant authority whose area includes all or any part of any of the magistrates’ courts committee areas to which the proposals relate.

(3)The Lord Chancellor shall not make an order under section 27A(2) above which makes an alteration of any area unless he is satisfied that the making of the order is likely to contribute to an overall increase in the efficiency of the administration of magistrates’ courts.

(4)Before making an order under section 27A(2) above which makes an alteration of any area, other than an order which implements proposals submitted to him under subsection (1) above, the Lord Chancellor shall consult—

(a)the magistrates for the area;

(b)the magistrates’ courts committees for the area; and

(c)every relevant authority whose area includes all or any part of the magistrates’ courts committee area.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4) above, an order shall be taken to implement proposals if it implements them without changes or any departures from the proposals do not, in the opinion of the Lord Chancellor, effect important changes in the proposals.

(6)An order under section 27A(2) above which makes an alteration of any area may contain such consequential and transitional provisions as appear to the Lord Chancellor to be necessary or expedient, including—

(a)provision for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities;

(b)provision for the management or custody of transferred property (whether real or personal); and

(c)provision for any magistrates’ courts committee coming into existence by virtue of the order to be constituted under section 30 below as a body corporate, and to incur liabilities, before the date on which the functions of any magistrates’ courts committee are transferred to it.

(7)The Lord Chancellor may give directions with respect to convening the first meeting of a magistrates’ courts committee coming into existence by virtue of an order under section 27A(2) above.

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under section 27A(2) above which makes an alteration of any area shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(9)In this section references to the alteration of a magistrates’ courts committee area include (as well as a change in the boundaries of the area)—

(a)the combination of the area with another magistrates’ courts committee area; and

(b)the division of the area between two or more magistrates’ courts committee areas.

(10)In this section “relevant authority” means—

(a)a county council;

(b)a county borough council; or

(c)the council of a unitary district.

[F628 Constitution of committees.E+W

(1)A magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London shall, subject to subsection (2) below, be composed of justices of the peace for the area to which the committee relates, chosen in accordance with regulations under section 29 below.

(2)Such a magistrates’ courts committee may also include persons (who need not be justices of the peace)—

(a)co-opted by the committee with the approval of the Lord Chancellor; or

(b)appointed by the Lord Chancellor.]

[F729 Regulations about committees.E+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may by statutory instrument make general regulations about the constitution, procedure and quorum of magistrates’ courts committees for areas outside Greater London; but any such regulations shall have effect subject to the provisions of section 28 above.

(2)The regulations shall provide for the members referred to in section 28(1) above to be chosen by a selection panel constituted in accordance with the regulations.

(3)The regulations may—

(a)lay down an upper limit for the number of members of a magistrates’ courts committee (inclusive of the members referred to in subsection (2) of section 28 above); and

(b)enable the Lord Chancellor to direct that, in relation to any magistrates’ courts committee to which the direction is given, any members co-opted or appointed under that subsection are to be left out of account in applying the upper limit.

(4)The regulations may make provision for the payment of remuneration to members of a magistrates’ courts committee co-opted or appointed under section 28(2) above.

(5)The regulations may make different provision in relation to magistrates’ courts committees for different areas.

(6)The regulations may also make provision with respect to the persons (other than the members, clerks and officers of the committee) who may be entitled to attend the meetings of a magistrates’ courts committee and the rights of such persons to make representations to the committee.

(7)A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made by virtue of this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

[F830 Supplementary provisions about committees.E+W

(1)A magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London shall appoint one of their members to be chairman of the committee.

(2)Where the magistrates for a petty sessions area are required to meet for the purpose of carrying out any functions under section 29 above, a meeting shall be convened by the magistrates’ courts committee or, if there is no such committee or the Lord Chancellor considers it appropriate, by the Lord Chancellor.

(3)A magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London may act through sub-committees appointed by them which, if they include at least one member of the committee, may also include persons who are not members.

(4)Such a magistrates’ courts committee may also arrange for the discharge of any of their functions—

(a)by the chairman of the committee; or

(b)by the justices’ chief executive.

(5)Subject to the provisions of this Act, a magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London shall have power to regulate their own procedure, including quorum.

(6)A magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London shall be a body corporate.

(7)A magistrates’ courts committee for an area outside Greater London shall, on at least one occasion in every calendar year, admit members of the public to a meeting of the committee.

(8)The minutes of proceedings of every meeting of such a magistrates’ courts committee shall be open to inspection by members of the public at the offices of the committee, except to the extent that the committee determine that the minutes disclose information of a confidential nature.

(9)Copies of any minutes which are open to inspection under subsection (8) above shall be made available to the public on payment of such reasonable fee as the magistrates’ courts committee may in any case determine.

(10)A magistrates’ courts committee making a determination under subsection (8) above shall state their reasons for regarding the information in question as being of a confidential nature.]

[F9 Greater London]E+W

[F1030A Greater London Magistrates’ Courts Authority.E+W

(1)There shall be a body corporate known as the Greater London Magistrates’ Courts Authority.

(2)The Authority shall be the magistrates’ courts committee for Greater London.]

F1130B Regulations about Authority.E+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision relating to the Greater London Magistrates’ Courts Authority, including—

(a)provision about the membership of the Authority (including provision as to who is to chair it and about the payment of remuneration to its members); and

(b)provision about the Authority’s constitution and procedure (including quorum and meetings).

(2)A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made by virtue of this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

F1230C Procedure of Authority.E+W

(1)The Greater London Magistrates’ Courts Authority may, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor, act through committees appointed by the Authority which, if they include at least one member of the Authority, may also include persons who are not members.

(2)The Authority may also arrange for the discharge of any of their functions—

(a)by the chairman of the Authority; or

(b)by the justices’ chief executive.

(3)Subject to regulations made under this Act, the Authority shall have power to regulate their own procedure, including quorum.

[F1331A Execution of warrants.E+W

(1)A magistrates’ courts committee may approve persons or bodies for the purpose of executing warrants pursuant to section 125B of the M1Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.

(2)The Lord Chancellor may by statutory instrument make regulations as to—

(a)conditions which must be satisfied by a person or body in order to be approved under subsection (1) above; and

(b)the procedure by which a person or body may be so approved.

(3)A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made by virtue of subsection (2) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4)A magistrates’ courts committee shall maintain a register—

(a)containing the names of all persons and bodies approved by the committee under subsection (1) above; or

(b)stating that no person or body has been so approved.

(5)Copies of the register kept by a committee under subsection (4) above shall be available for inspection by members of the public in every petty sessional court-house in the committee’s area during the hours that the court-house is open to the public.

(6)A decision by a magistrates’ courts committee to revoke the approval of a person or body under subsection (1) above does not have effect to revoke the approval until the committee have informed the person or body in writing of the decision.]

31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1532. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

[F1632A Alteration of commission areas.E+W

(1)A magistrates’ courts committee may at any time submit to the Lord Chancellor written proposals for an alteration of any commission area which includes the whole or any part of their area.

(2)Before submitting such proposals the magistrates’ courts committee shall consult—

(a)the magistrates for their area or that of any affected magistrates’ courts committee; and

(b)any affected magistrates’ courts committee.

(3)Before making an order under section 1(2) above which makes an alteration of a commission area, other than an order which implements proposals submitted to him under subsection (1) above, the Lord Chancellor shall consult—

(a)the magistrates for the area of any affected magistrates’ courts committee; and

(b)any affected magistrates’ courts committee.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) above an order shall be taken to implement proposals if it implements them without changes or any departures from the proposals do not, in the opinion of the Lord Chancellor, effect important changes in the proposals.

(5)An order under section 1(2) above which makes an alteration of a commission area may contain such consequential and transitional provisions as appear to the Lord Chancellor to be necessary or expedient.

(6)A statutory instrument containing an order under section 1(2) above which makes an alteration of a commission area shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)In this section references to the alteration of a commission area include (as well as a change in the boundaries of the area)—

(a)the combination of the area with another commission area; and

(b)the division of the area between two or more commission areas.

(8)For the purposes of this section a magistrates’ courts committee is affected by proposals or a proposed order if the alteration proposed would affect any commission area which includes the whole or any part of their area.]

[F1733 Alteration of petty sessions areas.E+W

(1)A magistrates’ courts committee may at any time submit to the Lord Chancellor a draft order which makes an alteration of a petty sessions area for which they are the committee.

(2)A magistrates’ courts committee shall, if directed to do so by the Lord Chancellor, consider whether any alteration is required to any petty sessions area for which they are the committee and, on completion of its consideration, shall submit to the Lord Chancellor either—

(a)a draft order under subsection (1) above; or

(b)a report giving reasons for no alteration.

(3)The Lord Chancellor may only make an order under section 4(2) above which makes an alteration of a petty sessions area where—

(a)the magistrates’ courts committee for the area have submitted a draft order to him under subsection (1) above and the alteration made by the order is in the terms of the draft or subject only to such modifications as the Lord Chancellor thinks fit;

(b)a magistrates’ courts committee fail to comply within six months with a direction of the Lord Chancellor under subsection (2) above or he is dissatisfied with the draft order or report submitted in pursuance of such a direction; or

(c)the alteration is consequential on an order under section 1(2) or 27A(2) above.

(4)An order under section 4(2) above which makes an alteration of a petty sessions area may contain such consequential and transitional provisions as appear to the Lord Chancellor to be necessary or expedient.

(5)In this section and section 34 below references to the alteration of a petty sessions area include (as well as a change in the boundaries of the area)—

(a)the combination of the area with another petty sessions area;

(b)the division of the area between two or more petty sessions areas; and

(c)changing the name of the area.]

34 Procedure relating to s. 33.E+W

(1)Before submitting to the Lord Chancellor a draft order or a report under section 33 above about any [F18petty sessions] area, a magistrates’ courts committee—

(a)shall consult—

(i)every relevant council; and

(ii)the magistrates for F19 . . . the area; and

(b)in the case of a draft order which relates to any district which is not a unitary district, after complying with paragraph (a) above, shall send a copy of their proposals to every relevant district council and take into consideration any objections made in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time.

(2)A magistrates’ courts committee submitting to the Lord Chancellor a draft order or a report under section 33 above shall comply with such requirements (if any) as to notice as may be prescribed.

(3)Before making an order under [F20section 4(2) above which makes an alteration of a petty sessions area] otherwise than in accordance with a draft submitted to him by the magistrates’ courts committee, the Lord Chancellor shall send a copy of his proposals to—

(a)the magistrates’ courts committee;

(b)every relevant council;

(c)the magistrates for F21 . . . the area; and

(d)if the proposals relate to any district which is not a unitary district, every relevant district council.

(4)Before making any order under [F22section 4(2) above which makes an alteration of a petty sessions area,] the Lord Chancellor shall take into consideration any objections made in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time, and may cause a local inquiry to be held.

(5)For the purposes of this section—

(a)“relevant council”, in relation to an order, a draft order or a report, means any council of—

(i)a county;

(ii)a county borough;

(iii)a unitary district; or

(iv)a London borough,

which includes all or part of the area to which the order, draft order or report relates;

(b)“relevant district council”, in relation to an order or draft order about any area, means any council of a district, other than a unitary district, which includes all or part of the area;

(c)“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Lord Chancellor by statutory instrument; and

(d)an order shall be taken to be made in accordance with a draft order if it is made in terms of the draft order or any departures from the draft order do not, in the opinion of the Lord Chancellor, effect important alterations in the draft order.

F2335. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

F2436. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

37 Reports and plans.E+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations made by statutory instrument require magistrates’ courts committees to submit to him such reports and plans, in relation to matters for which they are responsible, as may be prescribed.

(2)Any report or plan required by regulations under this section—

(a)shall be prepared in the prescribed manner, after such consultation as may be prescribed, and within such time as may be prescribed;

(b)shall be in the prescribed form;

(c)shall be sent to such persons as may be prescribed; and

(d)shall be made available to the public on payment of such reasonable fee as the magistrates’ courts committee may in any case determine.

(3)The Lord Chancellor may direct any one or more magistrates’ courts committees to produce such additional reports or plans in relation to matters for which they are responsible as may be specified in the direction.

(4)In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Lord Chancellor by statutory instrument; and a statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made by virtue of this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

38 Default powers.E+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may make an order under subsection (3) below if he is of the opinion that, without reasonable excuse, a magistrates’ courts committee—

(a)are failing properly to discharge any duty imposed on them by or under any enactment; or

(b)have so failed and are likely to do so again.

(2)Before making an order under subsection (3) below, the Lord Chancellor shall give a written warning to the magistrates’ courts committee specifying the default or defaults to which the order relates.

(3)An order under this subsection shall—

(a)state that the Lord Chancellor is of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above; and

(b)provide either or both of the following—

(i)that, on the making of the order, the chairman of the committee is to vacate his office as chairman; or

(ii)that, on the making of the order, one or more specified members of the committee (who may include the chairman but may not consist of all the members of the committee) are to vacate their office.

(4)If, after making an order under subsection (3) above, the Lord Chancellor remains of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above, he may make an order—

(a)stating that he remains of that opinion; and

(b)providing—

(i)that all the members of the committee are to vacate their office on the making of the order; and

(ii)that for a specified period, not exceeding three months, beginning with the making of the order the committee is to consist of persons nominated by the Lord Chancellor (who need not be justices of the peace).

(5)An order under subsection (4) above shall provide for new members of the committee to be chosen, in accordance with regulations under section 29 above, to take office at the end of the specified period.

F25(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39 Studies by Audit Commission.E+W

(1)The Audit Commission may, at the request of a magistrates’ courts committee, undertake or promote comparative and other studies—

(a)designed to enable the Commission to make recommendations for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of the committee’s functions; and

(b)for improving the financial or other management of the committee.

(2)Any magistrates’ courts committee which has requested a study in accordance with subsection (1) above, and any officer or member of such a committee, shall provide the Audit Commission, or any person authorised by it, with such information as it or he may reasonably require for the carrying out of the study.

(3)The Audit Commission shall charge the magistrates’ courts committee concerned such fees for any study carried out under subsection (1) above as will cover the full cost of carrying it out.

(4)In this section “the Audit Commission” means the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales.

[F2639A Code of conduct for members etc.E+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may prepare a code of conduct to be observed by—

(a)members of magistrates’ courts committees; and

(b)members of selection panels for choosing members of such committees.

(2)The Lord Chancellor may from time to time prepare a revised version of the code.

(3)Before preparing the code or a revised version of the code the Lord Chancellor shall undertake such consultation as appears to him to be appropriate.

(4)The code, and any revised version of the code, shall come into force as provided by an order made by the Lord Chancellor by statutory instrument; and an order providing for the coming into force of the code or a revised version shall set out the code or revised version.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an order made by virtue of subsection (4) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

[F2739B Non-compliance with code.E+W

(1)The Lord Chancellor may make an order under subsection (2) below if he is of the opinion that—

(a)a member of a magistrates’ courts committee; or

(b)a member of a selection panel for choosing members of such a committee,

has, without reasonable excuse, failed to observe the code.

(2)An order under this subsection shall state that the Lord Chancellor is of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above and may provide either or both of the following—

(a)that, on the making of the order, the person is to cease to be a member of the committee or selection panel concerned or to cease to be such a member for a specified period; or

(b)that, for a specified period, the person may not be appointed (or co-opted) as a member of any magistrates’ courts committee or any selection panel for choosing members of such a committee.

(3)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision for the purpose of establishing whether persons have failed to observe the code.

(4)A statutory instrument containing regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]