(1)The appropriate judge is—
(a)in England and Wales, a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) designated for the purposes of this Part by the Lord Chancellor;
(b)in Scotland, the sheriff of Lothian and Borders;
(c)in Northern Ireland, such county court judge or resident magistrate as is designated for the purposes of this Part by the Lord Chancellor.
(2)A designation under subsection (1) may be made for all cases or for such cases (or cases of such description) as the designation stipulates.
(3)More than one designation may be made under subsection (1).
(4)This section applies for the purposes of this Part.