“A black magistrate claimed yesterday that a culture of courtroom racism routinely saw innocent ethnic minority defendants found guilty before being handed the harshest possible jail sentence.”
The Times, 9th April 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“A magistrate, John Harrison, is under investigation after reportedly falling asleep during a teenager’s trial for an alleged assault.”
Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2009
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
R (Longato) v Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court [2009] WLR (D) 104
“The statutory procedure for an application to extend a closure order, set out in s 5(3) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, which provided that within a reasonable time before the hearing of an application a summons might be issued by a justice of the peace to the former occupier of the premises, did not oust or modify the general procedural requirements of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 or r 99 of the Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981; if the court failed to issue and serve the summons in the manner prescribed, its ability to hear the complaint was fettered.”
WLR Daily, 23rd March 2009
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in once of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
“Longer prison sentences for assault, theft and benefit fraud are likely under plans to overhaul the courts system. But the proposed stronger powers for magistrates could bring the country’s overcrowded prisons to breaking point, campaign groups say.”
The Times, 20th March 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
R (Perinpanathan) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court; [2009] WLR (D) 92
“In exercising its power under s 64(1) Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 to make ‘such order as to costs … as it thinks just and reasonable’ a magistrates’ court was entitled, when dismissing forfeiture proceedings, to take into account its view that the application had reasonably been made.”
WLR Daily, 12th March 2009
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
“Magistrates dealing with criminal offences are ‘case-hardened’ and may not properly apply the correct standard of proof, a prominent barrister claims.”
BBC News, 10th March 2009
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“A magistrate who was suspended for criticising the police is to be reinstated after an independent review decided a recommendation to dismiss her was ‘disproportionate’ and the hearing that led to it was flawed and unfair, the Guardian has learned.”
The Guardian, 16th February 2009
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Magistrates have won a first-round battle over the growing use of on-the-spot fines, which they warn, are undermining public confidence in the justice system.”
The Times, 5th February 2009
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Applications to enforce contact orders made in the magistrates’ courts are to be considered by family proceedings courts.”
WLR Daily, 7th November 2008
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Food City Express Ltd; [2008] WLR (D) 314
“On an appeal against a decision of a licensing authority on a point of procedure a magistrates’ court may not displace a lawful decision and remit the case on the basis that the authority’s discretion should have been exercised differently.”
WLR Daily, 13th October 2008
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
“A black magistrate claims she suffered a nine-year campaign of discrimination by senior court officials and was unfairly denied promotion due to her colour.”
Daily Telegraph, 7th October 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
“Adult and youth courts in the Midlands are being cancelled because more offenders are being given on-the-spot fines, according to a letter leaked to The Times.”
The Times, 28th August 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“A magistrate who tried to sue his former daughter-in-law for defamation claiming she had ‘maliciously’ accused him of assault has lost his case. ”
Daily Telgraph, 15th July 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
“Magistrates should be banned from handing out custodial sentences to help ease overcrowding in prisons, an influential report says.”
Daily Telegraph, 13th July 2008
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
“The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee is seeking views on a proposal to consolidate and revise the rules about trials in magistrates’ courts.”
Ministry of Justice, 1st July 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“Jack Straw was at the centre of a political row last night after he sacked a magistrate who criticised the police for failing to protect her daughter from being physically assaulted at school.”
The Independent, 8th June 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Specialist courts which deal only with drugs offenders are proving a success, the government has said.”
BBC News, 28th May 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“The latest National Statistics release on time intervals for criminal proceedings in magistrates’ courts, released by the Ministry of Justice and produced in accordance with arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.”
Ministry of Justice, 23rd May 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“The first revised magistrates’ court sentencing guidelines in four years have today been published by the Sentencing Guidelines Council.”
Revised Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines (PDF)
Sentencing Guidelines Council, 12th May 2008
Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk
Fraser v Judicial and Legal Services Commission and another [2008] UKPC 25; [2008] WLR (D) 139
“A magistrate, on a fixed term appointment in Saint Lucia, enjoyed the same constitutional rights against summary dismissal as a member of the higher judiciary, regardless of any contractual term to the contrary.”
WLR Daily, 7th May 2008
Source: www.lawreports.co.uk
Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.
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