Explanatory Notes

Courts Act 2003

2003 CHAPTER 39

20 November 2003

Commentary on Sections: Part 1

Abolition of magistrates’ courts committees

Part 2: Justices of the Peace.Summary

25.Part 2 of the Act contains a range of provisions relating to lay justices, District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts), justices’ clerks and administrative staff working in the magistrates’ courts. The most significant change is to give lay magistrates a national jurisdiction. In order to achieve the main changes, this Part rewrites existing provisions in the JPA 1997 with various adjustments.