‘A majority of magistrates are women but the sustained increase in their numbers may be concealing a reduction of social diversity on the bench, the national chair of the Magistrates Association has suggested.’
The Guardian, 8th August 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A former Court of Appeal judge has stoked the debate about judicial independence by suggesting that rules preventing judges from speaking about their role fuel media and public distrust of the criminal justice system.’
Law Society's Gazette, 28th July 2017
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘A Christian magistrate who lost his job and then his role as an NHS director for speaking out against adoption by same-sex parents will this week sue NHS bosses claiming political correctness can prevent Christians holding public posts.’
Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Jacqueline Macdonald-Davis and Jessica Baldwin are spearheading a campaign to court greater diversity among volunteers to the bench.’
The Guardian, 4th July 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A council’s bid to obtain a confiscation order over planning enforcement breaches has been halted after a ruling that the indication of pleas of guilty on the two defendants’ behalf and in their presence by counsel appearing for them in the magistrates’ court was an incurable error.’
Local Government Lawyer, 19th May 2017
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘A woman and her daughter charged in connection with what is thought to be Britain’s first all-female alleged terror plot were told to lift their veils in court by a magistrate who asked to see their eyes.’
Daily Telegraph, 11th May 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The introduction of tougher punishments for the most serious speeding offences has been welcomed by motoring groups.
Drivers caught at speeds excessively above legal limits face higher penalties in England and Wales from Monday.’
The Independent, 24th April 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A cosmetic practice owner who crashed her car while drunk has been spared a driving ban after claiming she accidentally drank her son’s vodka and orange for breakfast.’
Daily Telegraph, 21st March 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘A magistrate has been reprimanded after posting a Facebook message about a court case he had overseen.’
Daily Telegraph, 11th March 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘A woman who was attacked by two dogs at a boarding kennels has won her case to have one of the animals destroyed.’
BBC News, 12th February 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A magistrate who refused to sit on a same-sex parenting case has been given a formal warning for misconduct.’
Daily Telegraph, 30th January 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘In R (Woolcock) v Bridgend MC (2017) EWHC 34 (Admin) Lewis J quashed a suspended committal order, pursuant to Regulation 47 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, because no proper means assessment had been carried out and the suspension period was manifestly excessive.’
Local Government Law, 23rd January 2017
‘The Sentencing Council has published revised guidelines for offences in the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines.
The guidelines apply to all offenders aged 18 and older who are sentenced on or after 24 April 2017, regardless of the date of the offence.’
Sentencing Council, 24th January 2017
‘There is an exceedingly long line of case law, stretching back beyond the days of the community charge (which was of course better known as the Poll Tax). In those cases, the courts have traditionally quashed custodial orders improperly imposed by magistrates for non-payment of council taxes.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 23rd January 2017
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘Magistrates are resigning in “considerable” numbers, the head of their national body has said, after scores of court closures and swingeing government cuts.’
The Guardian, 29th November 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘A victim’s charity says growing court delays are damaging “the public’s confidence in the criminal justice system”.’
BBC News, 17th November 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Magistrates will be given ‘starting points’ to help them sentence disqualified company directors who breach court orders as part of Sentencing Council efforts to ensure a consistent approach in the courts.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 25th October 2016
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Magistrates should not be forced to retire at 70 if keeping them on would solve the recruitment crisis, a committee of MPs have said.’
Daily Telegraph, 19th October 2016
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Too many magistrates in England and Wales are “old and white”, one of the youngest justices in the country says.’
BBC News, 19th October 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Providing Sufficient Resources for the Courts and Judiciary as a Fundamental Constitutional Obligation.’
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 26th September 2016
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
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