(This note is not part of the Order)
Magistrates' courts committees will be abolished on 1 April 2005 when section 6(1) of the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39) comes into force. This Order makes a consequential amendment and a transitional provision that are required as a result of that abolition.
Article 2 of this Order makes a consequential amendment to the Magistrates' Courts (Civilian Enforcement Officers) Rules 1990. Magistrates' courts committees are currently one of the prescribed authorities that may employ civilian enforcement officers. Civilian enforcement officers employed by magistrates' courts committees will be transferred to the employment of the Lord Chancellor. Article 2 of this Order substitutes the Lord Chancellor for magistrates' courts committees and will allow civilian enforcement officers to continue to carry out their duties on 1 April 2005.
Article 3 of this Order makes a transitional provision to allow approved enforcement agencies who are currently approved by magistrates' courts committees to continue as if approved by the Lord Chancellor from 1 April following the abolition of magistrates' courts committees.