Why we need more black and minority ethnic magistrates – The Guardian

‘Jacqueline Macdonald-Davis and Jessica Baldwin are spearheading a campaign to court greater diversity among volunteers to the bench.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 4th July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Confiscation proceedings halted over “fatal error” in indication of guilty pleas – Local Government Lawyer

‘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.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 19th May 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Mother and daughter in terror plot case ordered to lift veils by magistrate who demands to see their eyes – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 12th, 2017 in conspiracy, court dress, Islam, magistrates, news, terrorism by sally

‘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.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th May 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Tougher speeding penalties for UK drivers welcomed by motoring groups – The Independent

Posted April 24th, 2017 in fines, magistrates, news, penalties, road traffic offences, sentencing by tracey

‘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.’

Full story

The Independent, 24th April 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Cosmetic practice owner who crashed her car while drunk spared ban after claiming she accidentally drank vodka and orange for breakfast – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 22nd, 2017 in alcohol abuse, magistrates, news, road traffic offences by sally

‘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.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 21st March 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Magistrate disciplined after Facebook comments on case he oversaw – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 13th, 2017 in internet, magistrates, news, professional conduct by sally

‘A magistrate has been reprimanded after posting a Facebook message about a court case he had overseen.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th March 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Woman wins court case to have a pit bull dog destroyed – BBC News

Posted February 13th, 2017 in dogs, euthanasia, magistrates, news by sally

‘A woman who was attacked by two dogs at a boarding kennels has won her case to have one of the animals destroyed.’

Full story

BBC News, 12th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Magistrate disciplined after refusing to hear same-sex parenting case – Daily Telegraph

‘A magistrate who refused to sit on a same-sex parenting case has been given a formal warning for misconduct.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th January 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Non-payment of Council Tax – Local Government Law

Posted January 26th, 2017 in appeals, committals, council tax, debts, local government, magistrates, news, regulations by tracey

‘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.’

Full story

Local Government Law, 23rd January 2017

Source: www.11kbw.com/blogs/local-government-law

New sentencing guidelines for magistrates’ courts published – Sentencing Council

Posted January 25th, 2017 in magistrates, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘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.’

Full press release

Sentencing Council, 24th January 2017

Source: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk

Magistrates struggle (again) with the use of imprisonment for non-payment of council tax – by Sam Genen and Sophie Walker – UK Human Rights Blog

‘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.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 23rd January 2017

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Magistrates quitting in ‘considerable’ numbers over court closures – The Guardian

Posted November 30th, 2016 in courts, criminal justice, magistrates, news by tracey

‘Magistrates are resigning in “considerable” numbers, the head of their national body has said, after scores of court closures and swingeing government cuts.’

Full story

The Guardian, 29th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Magistrate court cases take a week longer to complete – BBC News

Posted November 17th, 2016 in appeals, courts, delay, magistrates, news, trials by sally

‘A victim’s charity says growing court delays are damaging “the public’s confidence in the criminal justice system”.’

Full story

BBC News, 17th November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sentencing ‘starting points’ for disqualified directors – Law Society’s Gazette

‘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.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 25th October 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Magistrates should be allowed to work past the age of 70 to solve staffing problems, MPs claim – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 19th, 2016 in elderly, judiciary, magistrates, news, reports, retirement, select committees by sally

‘Magistrates should not be forced to retire at 70 if keeping them on would solve the recruitment crisis, a committee of MPs have said.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 19th October 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Magistrates’ courts need ‘younger, more diverse recruits’ – BBC News

Posted October 19th, 2016 in elderly, judiciary, magistrates, news, young persons by sally

‘Too many magistrates in England and Wales are “old and white”, one of the youngest justices in the country says.’

Full story

BBC News, 19th October 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Speech by Lord Justice Gross at the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association Conference – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted September 30th, 2016 in judiciary, magistrates, speeches by tracey

‘Providing Sufficient Resources for the Courts and Judiciary as a Fundamental Constitutional Obligation.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 26th September 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Fall in number of magistrates ‘will mean less diversity’ – The Guardian

Posted June 23rd, 2016 in diversity, inquiries, judiciary, magistrates, news, select committees, statistics by sally

‘A sharp fall in the number of magistrates in England and Wales will ensure that those on the bench remain overwhelmingly white and elderly, the government has been warned.’

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd June 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Don’t try to defend yourself in court. But if you have to, here are some crucial tips – The Guardian

‘More people than ever seem to be defending themselves. If you do it, make sure you understand the law, know the lingo and how to play the system.’

Full story

The Guardian, 26th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Magistrate sacked for opposing same-sex adoption is suspended by NHS – The Guardian

‘A Christian magistrate who was sacked after voicing his opposition to adoption by same-sex parents has been suspended as a non-executive director by an NHS trust.’

Full story

The Guardian, 27th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk