Justices of the Peace Act 1979

19 General provisions as to magistrates courts committees

(1) There shall continue to be committees (to be called " magistrates' courts committees ") set up in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act, with such functions in relation to justices' clerks, to the division into petty sessional divisions of non-metropolitan counties, metropolitan districts and the outer London areas, to the provision of courses of instruction for justices and to other matters of an administrative character as are or may be provided by or under this Act or as they may be authorised by the Secretary of State to undertake.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, there shall be a magistrates' courts committee for each area to which this subsection applies, that is to say—

(a) every non-metropolitan county ;

(b) every metropolitan district;

(c) each of the outer London areas ; and

(d) the City of London.

(3) There may be a single magistrates' courts committee for a composite area (in this Act referred to as a "joint committee area ") consisting of two or more areas to which subsection (2) above applies, other than the City of London; but—

(a) there shall be a single magistrates' courts committee for such a composite area if, but only if, the area is for the time being directed by an order of the Secretary of State to be a joint committee area; and

(b) no order directing that a composite area shall be a joint committee area shall be made except on the application of the magistrates for each area to which subsection (2) above applies which is included in the composite area.

(4) Any order of the Secretary of State under subsection (3) above may, if it relates to an area for which a magistrates' courts committee is already acting, contain such consequential and transitional provisions for the preservation of rights and liabilities of that committee or otherwise as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient.