This consultation document seeks views on proposals to change the process by which magistrates are authorised to sit and preside in family proceedings courts and youth courts, following the introduction of the Courts Act 2003.
| Consultation begins on | 21 November 2005 |
| Consultation ends on | 13 February 2006 |
| Summary of responses published on | 18 September 2006 |
The consultation paper covered proposals for authorising magistrates to sit in family proceedings courts and youth courts. It also sought views on how the benefits of the panel approach can be identified and retained and invited discussion as to who should be responsible for hearing appeals against Bench Training and Development Committee Decisions (BTDC).
This report summarises the responses received to the consultation on 'Focusing Judicial Resources Appropriately'. It includes number of composite responses where benches, panels and magistrates have combined to provide a common response on behalf of a group of magistrates. Policies are currently being developed and will be published at the end of October 2006.
Further copies of this report and the consultation paper can be obtained by contacting the address below:
Peter Spence
Judicial Policy Division
Selborne House
54-60 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW
Tel: 020 7210 1818
Fax: 020 7210 8283
