Access to Justice Act 1999

86 Code of conduct

In the Justices of the Peace Act 1997, after section 39 insert—

“39A Code of conduct for members etc

(1) The Lord Chancellor may prepare a code of conduct to be observed by—

(a) members of magistrates' courts committees; and

(b) members of selection panels for choosing members of such committees.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may from time to time prepare a revised version of the code.

(3) Before preparing the code or a revised version of the code the Lord Chancellor shall undertake such consultation as appears to him to be appropriate.

(4) The code, and any revised version of the code, shall come into force as provided by an order made by the Lord Chancellor by statutory instrument; and an order providing for the coming into force of the code or a revised version shall set out the code or revised version.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order made by virtue of subsection (4) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

39B Non-compliance with code

(1) The Lord Chancellor may make an order under subsection (2) below if he is of the opinion that—

(a) a member of a magistrates' courts committee; or

(b) a member of a selection panel for choosing members of such a committee,

has, without reasonable excuse, failed to observe the code.

(2) An order under this subsection shall state that the Lord Chancellor is of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above and may provide either or both of the following—

(a) that, on the making of the order, the person is to cease to be a member of the committee or selection panel concerned or to cease to be such a member for a specified period; or

(b) that, for a specified period, the person may not be appointed (or co-opted) as a member of any magistrates' courts committee or any selection panel for choosing members of such a committee.

(3) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision for the purpose of establishing whether persons have failed to observe the code.

(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”