Justices of the Peace Act 1979

22 Supplementary provisions as to magistrates' courts committees

(1) A magistrates' courts committee shall appoint one of its members to be chairman of the committee and, subject to subsection (2) below, shall also appoint a clerk to the committee and may appoint such other officers (if any) as the Secretary of State may approve.

(2) Where there is a separate magistrates' courts committee for an area to which section 19(2) of this Act applies which is not divided into petty sessional divisions, the clerk to the justices (that is to say—

(a) in the case of a non-metropolitan county, the county justices;

(b) in the case of a metropolitan district, the justices acting for that district;

(c) in the case of any of the outer London areas, the justices for that area; or

(d) in the case of the City of London, the justices for the City),

shall by virtue of his office be the clerk to the committee.

(3) Where the magistrates for a petty sessions area are required to meet for the purpose of carrying out any functions under section 20 of this Act, a meeting shall be convened by the magistrates' courts committee or, if there is no such committee in being or the Secretary of State considers it appropriate, by the Secretary of State.

(4) A magistrates' courts committee may act through subcommittees appointed by them.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a magistrates' courts committee shall have power to regulate its own procedure, including quorum.

(6) The proceedings of a magistrates' courts committee shall not be invalidated by reason of any vacancy therein or of any defect in the appointment of a member.

(7) A magistrates' courts committee shall be a body corporate.