Courts Act 2003

26District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) able to act alone

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)Nothing in the 1980 Act—

(a)requiring a magistrates' court to be composed of two or more justices, or

(b)limiting the powers of a magistrates' court when composed of a single justice,

applies to a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).

(2)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) may—

(a)do any act, and

(b)exercise alone any jurisdiction,

which can be done or exercised by two justices, apart from granting or transferring a licence.

(3)Any enactment making provision ancillary to the jurisdiction exercisable by two justices of the peace also applies to the jurisdiction of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), unless the provision relates to granting or transferring a licence.

(4)This section does not apply to the hearing or determination of family proceedings (as defined by section 65 of the 1980 Act).

(5)“The 1980 Act” means the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43).