Part III

Magistrates’ courts committees

Greater London

Default powers.
38
1
The Lord Chancellor may make an order under subsection (3) below if he is of the opinion that, without reasonable excuse, a magistrates’ courts committee—
a
are failing properly to discharge any duty imposed on them by or under any enactment; or
b
have so failed and are likely to do so again.
2
Before making an order under subsection (3) below, the Lord Chancellor shall give a written warning to the magistrates’ courts committee specifying the default or defaults to which the order relates.
3
An order under this subsection shall—
a
state that the Lord Chancellor is of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above; and
b
provide either or both of the following—
i
that, on the making of the order, the chairman of the committee is to vacate his office as chairman; or
ii
that, on the making of the order, one or more specified members of the committee (who may include the chairman but may not consist of all the members of the committee) are to vacate their office.
4
If, after making an order under subsection (3) above, the Lord Chancellor remains of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above, he may make an order—
a
stating that he remains of that opinion; and
b
providing—
i
that all the members of the committee are to vacate their office on the making of the order; and
ii
that for a specified period, not exceeding three months, beginning with the making of the order the committee is to consist of persons nominated by the Lord Chancellor (who need not be justices of the peace).
5
An order under subsection (4) above shall provide for new members of the committee to be chosen, in accordance with regulations under section 29 above, to take office at the end of the specified period.
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Act repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 6(4), 109(3), 110(1), Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(aa) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2005/911)
S. 38(6) repealed (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 106, 108(3)(f), Sch. 15 Pt. V(5) (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(d)(iii)
Ss. 30A-30C inserted (27.9.1999 so far as relating to s. 30B and 1.3.2000 so far as relating to ss. 30A(1), 30C and otherwise 1.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 83(1) (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(c)(i); S.I. 1999/3344, art. 3(a)(i) (with art. 4, Sch. 2); S.I. 2001/916, art. 2(a)(i) (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 2 para. 2)