The Access to Justice Act 1999 (Commencement No. 7, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force on 1st and 2nd April 2001 a number of provisions of the Access to Justice Act 1999.

Provisions brought into force on 1st April 2001

The Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority becomes the magistrates' courts committee for Greater London and its functions are specified (section 83 and Schedule 12).

The administrative functions of justices' clerks are transferred to justices' chief executives (section 90 and Schedule 13), and provision is made for the accounting functions of justices' chief executives (section 91).

New provision is made for the immunity from costs of justices and justices' clerks (section 98) and of General Commissioners of income tax (section 102); for indemnity for justices and justices' clerks (section 99) and for General Commissioners and their clerks (section 103); and for immunity from action for assistant justices' clerks (section 100) and General Commissioners (section 101).

The Order contains transitional provisions and savings, and consequential repeals.

Provisions brought into force on 2nd April 2001

The Criminal Defence Service is established to provide advice, assistance and representation to individuals involved in criminal investigations or criminal proceedings (sections 12 to 18 and Schedule 3). The remaining consequential amendments in Schedule 4 are brought into force.

The Order makes transitional arrangements and savings relating to the replacement of the criminal legal aid scheme under the Legal Aid Act 1988 by the Criminal Defence Service and, in particular, relating to existing cases. There are also consequential repeals.