Part 2Justices of the peace
Supplementary provisions about the bench
19Training, development and appraisal of lay justices
1
Rules may (in addition to making provision under sections 10(4) and 18(6)) make provision for, or in connection with, the training, development and appraisal of lay justices.
2
Such rules may make provision for committees, constituted in accordance with the rules, to have such functions as may be specified in the rules, including, in particular—
a
providing advice and support to lay justices in connection with their functions as lay justices;
b
identifying the training needs of lay justices;
c
appraising lay justices and reporting on the results of appraisals;
d
giving or withholding approval for the purposes of section 18;
e
advising the Lord Chancellor in relation to authorisations of lay justices as members of family proceedings courts or youth courts;
f
granting or revoking such authorisations on behalf of the Lord Chancellor.
3
The Lord Chancellor must ensure that appropriate training and training materials are provided for lay justices with a view to enabling them to comply with requirements as to training imposed by rules under section 10 or 18 or this section.
20Rules
1
In sections 10, 17, 18 and 19 “rules” means rules made by the Lord Chancellor.
2
Before making any rules for the purposes of section 10, 17, 18 or 19 the Lord Chancellor must consult—
a
the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee,
b
the Family Procedure Rule Committee, and
c
the Magistrates' Courts Rule Committee.
21Duty to consult lay justices on matters affecting them etc.
The Lord Chancellor must take all reasonable and practicable steps—
a
for ensuring that lay justices acting in a local justice area are kept informed of matters affecting them in the performance of their duties, and
b
for ascertaining their views on such matters.