Part 3

Magistrates' courts

Family proceedings courts and youth courts

Youth courts
50
1
For section 45 of the 1933 Act (constitution of youth courts) substitute—

Youth courts
45
1
Magistrates' courts—
a
constituted in accordance with this section or section 66 of the Courts Act 2003 (judges having powers of District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)), and
b
sitting for the purpose of—
i
hearing any charge against a child or young person, or
ii
exercising any other jurisdiction conferred on youth courts by or under this or any other Act,
are to be known as youth courts.
2
A justice of the peace is not qualified to sit as a member of a youth court for the purpose of dealing with any proceedings unless he has an authorisation extending to the proceedings.
3
He has an authorisation extending to the proceedings only if he has been authorised by the Lord Chancellor or a person acting on his behalf to sit as a member of a youth court to deal with—
a
proceedings of that description, or
b
all proceedings dealt with by youth courts.
4
The Lord Chancellor may by rules make provision about—
a
the grant and revocation of authorisations,
b
the appointment of chairmen of youth courts, and
c
the composition of youth courts.
5
Rules under subsection (4) may confer powers on the Lord Chancellor with respect to any of the matters specified in the rules.
6
Rules under subsection (4) may be made only after consultation with the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee.
7
Rules under subsection (4) are to be made by statutory instrument.
8
A statutory instrument containing rules under subsection (4) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
2
Omit Schedule 2 to the 1933 Act (constitution of youth courts).
3
Omit section 146 of the 1980 Act (rules relating to youth court panels and the composition of youth courts).
4
“The 1933 Act” means the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12).