Part 1Maintaining the court system

The general duty

1The general duty

1

The Lord Chancellor is under a duty to ensure that there is an efficient and effective system to support the carrying on of the business of—

a

the Supreme Court,

F1aa

the Court of Protection,

b

county courts, and

c

magistrates' courts,

and that appropriate services are provided for those courts.

2

In this Part—

a

the Supreme Court” includes the district probate registries, and

b

magistrates' court” includes a committee of justices.

3

In this Part references to the Lord Chancellor’s general duty in relation to the courts are to his duty under this section.

4

The Lord Chancellor must, within 18 months of the coming into force of this section, and afterwards annually, prepare and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report as to the way in which he has discharged his general duty in relation to the courts.