402(1)Section 33 (alteration of petty sessions areas) is amended as follows.U.K.
(2)In subsection (2) after “Lord Chancellor” in the first place insert “ after he has consulted the Lord Chief Justice ”.
(3)In subsection (3)—
(a)in paragraph (a) after “Lord Chancellor thinks fit” insert “ after consulting the Lord Chief Justice ”;
(b)for paragraph (b) substitute—
“(b)a magistrates' court committee fail to comply within six months with a direction under subsection (2);
(bb)the Lord Chancellor is, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice, dissatisfied with the draft order or report submitted in pursuance of such a direction; or”.
(4)After subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)The Lord Chancellor may only make an order to which subsection (3) applies after consulting the Lord Chief Justice.”
(5)In subsection (4) after “appear to the Lord Chancellor” insert “ , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice, ”.
(6)After subsection (5) insert—
“(6)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this section.”