PART 1SINGLE JURISDICTION FOR COUNTY COURTS AND MAGISTRATES' COURTS

I13Directions as to distribution of business

1

The Lord Chief Justice may give directions as to—

a

the distribution of the business of county courts among such courts;

b

the transfer of such business from one county court to another;

c

the distribution of the business of magistrates' courts among such courts;

d

the transfer of such business from one magistrates' court to another.

2

For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of county courts” includes—

a

all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a county court (of any description);

b

all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to, a county court (of any description).

3

For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of magistrates' courts” includes—

a

all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a magistrates' court (of any description);

b

all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to a magistrates' court (of any description).

4

The Department may give directions as to—

a

the distribution among chief clerks of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a chief clerk;

b

the distribution among clerks of petty sessions of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a clerk of petty sessions.

5

In any statutory provision—

a

a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the chief clerk is a reference to the chief clerk who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter;

b

a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the clerk of petty sessions is a reference to the clerk of petty sessions who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter.