Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force on 1st April 1995 most of the remaining provisions of Part IV (which relates to magistrates' courts) of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994, Schedule 8 (minor and consequential amendments) and Part II of Schedule 9 (repeals).

Provision is made in article 5 for commencement on 1st October 1995 and 1st January 1996 of section 72(6) of the 1994 Act (meetings and minutes of magistrates' courts committees) in relation to all magistrates' courts committees, except the inner London committee, in respect of which the date of commencement is 1st April 1995. Section 83(1) of the 1994 Act, which substitutes new sections 55 and 56 in the Justices of the Peace Act 1979 (administrative and financial arrangements for magistrates' courts) is brought into force on 1st April 1995, except in relation to the inner London area, which continues to be provided for by the Receiver for the metropolitan police district.

Transitional provision is made in article 6 in respect of clerks to magistrates' courts committees holding office on 31st March 1995 and in respect of a number of provisions under which the paying authority in relation to the inner London area is to be the Receiver for the metropolitan police district until the repeal of section 58 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979.