Law and Rights
In recent times, the Magistrates' Courts have been equated with the term "local justice", a phrase which implies courts being reasonably near to people (who may have to attend as witnesses etc) and justice administered by people (magistrates) who have knowledge of their locality. The Ministry of Justice has announced the closure of a further 20 Magistrates' Courts which are said to be under-utilised, lacking adequate facilities or not meeting disability requirements. Whilst some of the closures might be entirely justifiable it is worth noting that since 1997 some 171 courts have been closed and in the period 1979 to 1997 a further 450 closed. So-called local justice is getting less local by the day. Ministry of Justice 18th March 2010.
The Institute of Legal Executives is consulting about the possibility of extending the rights of audience of "associate prosecutors" in magistrates' courts (including youth courts) so that they can prosecute in ALL cases heard summarily. The Law Society Gazette (18th March) is highly critical of this move - see here. "Associate Prosecutors" are not qualified as barristers or solicitors but they are regulated by ILEX. They already undertake certain work in magistrates' courts on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service - see here.
Addendum: 23rd March - The Ministry of Justice announced huge financial savings - see here. The remaining 19 Courts Boards will be abolished. Her Majesty's Court Service and the Tribunals Service will be merged. I suspect that the process of closing smaller magistrates' courts will be likely to continue.
- Reforming The Role Of Magistrates
This morning I draw attention to an article in Modern Law Review (November 2014) - Reforming the role of Magistrates: Implications for summary justice in England and Wales The article may be obtained (£) from the Wiley Online Library. The Library...
- Magistrates Courts ~ Unacceptable Delays
Justice Minister Mr Damian Green is seeking to improve the performance of the Magistrates Courts - Ministry of Justice - Damian Green: unacceptable delays in Magistrates Courts. He is right to do so but, let's remember, there have been...
- A Unified Judiciary ... And Why Not Use The Local Town Hall ...
The government is planning to bring the tribunal judiciary in England and Wales under the overall leadership of the Lord Chief Justice. This will be in addition to the planned merger (by 1st April 2011) of Her Majesty' Court Service and the...
- Justice Buses Are Not The Answer To Court Closures ....
The Guardian 27th August carried an article "Justice buses are not the answer to court closures". Ideas such as "courts" sitting in shopping centres and on converted buses have been popping up recently. For many practical reasons, this is...
- It Looks Like A Dismal Picture For Legal Services And For Justice
24th March saw the final budget of the Labour Government elected in 2005. On top of recently announced closures of 20 magistrates' courts, the Ministry of Justice published plans to make further substantial savings - see Ministry of Justice. ...
Law and Rights
Local Justice is getting less local
The Institute of Legal Executives is consulting about the possibility of extending the rights of audience of "associate prosecutors" in magistrates' courts (including youth courts) so that they can prosecute in ALL cases heard summarily. The Law Society Gazette (18th March) is highly critical of this move - see here. "Associate Prosecutors" are not qualified as barristers or solicitors but they are regulated by ILEX. They already undertake certain work in magistrates' courts on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service - see here.
Addendum: 23rd March - The Ministry of Justice announced huge financial savings - see here. The remaining 19 Courts Boards will be abolished. Her Majesty's Court Service and the Tribunals Service will be merged. I suspect that the process of closing smaller magistrates' courts will be likely to continue.
- Reforming The Role Of Magistrates
This morning I draw attention to an article in Modern Law Review (November 2014) - Reforming the role of Magistrates: Implications for summary justice in England and Wales The article may be obtained (£) from the Wiley Online Library. The Library...
- Magistrates Courts ~ Unacceptable Delays
Justice Minister Mr Damian Green is seeking to improve the performance of the Magistrates Courts - Ministry of Justice - Damian Green: unacceptable delays in Magistrates Courts. He is right to do so but, let's remember, there have been...
- A Unified Judiciary ... And Why Not Use The Local Town Hall ...
The government is planning to bring the tribunal judiciary in England and Wales under the overall leadership of the Lord Chief Justice. This will be in addition to the planned merger (by 1st April 2011) of Her Majesty' Court Service and the...
- Justice Buses Are Not The Answer To Court Closures ....
The Guardian 27th August carried an article "Justice buses are not the answer to court closures". Ideas such as "courts" sitting in shopping centres and on converted buses have been popping up recently. For many practical reasons, this is...
- It Looks Like A Dismal Picture For Legal Services And For Justice
24th March saw the final budget of the Labour Government elected in 2005. On top of recently announced closures of 20 magistrates' courts, the Ministry of Justice published plans to make further substantial savings - see Ministry of Justice. ...