Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980

68 Combined domestic court panels. E+W

(1) Where the [F1 Lord Chancellor] considers—

(a) that a combined [F2 family panel] should be formed for 2 or more petty sessions areas, or

(b) that any combined [F2 family panel] which has been so formed should be dissolved,

he may direct the magistrates’ courts committee for the area concerned to review the functioning of [F3 family proceedings courts] in their area and on completion of the review to submit a report to the [F1 Lord Chancellor].

(2) Where the [F1 Lord Chancellor] gives a direction under subsection (1) above, then—

(a) after consideration of any report submitted to him under that subsection, or

(b) if the committee fail to comply with the direction within 6 months from the giving thereof, after the expiration of that period of 6 months,

the [F1 Lord Chancellor] may, if he thinks fit, make an order for the formation of a combined [F2 family panel] for the petty sessions areas concerned or, as the case may be, for the dissolution of the combined [F2 family panel] concerned.

(3) Where the [F1 Lord Chancellor] proposes to make an order under subsection (2) above, he shall send a copy of the proposed order to the magistrates’ courts committee for any area the whole or part of which is concerned and to any [F2 family panel] which is concerned.

(4) Where a copy of the proposed order is required to be sent under subsection (3) above to any committee or panel, the [F1 Lord Chancellor] shall, before making an order, consider any representations made to him by the committee or panel within one month from the time the copy of the proposed order was sent.

(5) An order of the [F1 Lord Chancellor] under subsection (2) above shall be made by statutory instrument and may be revoked or varied by a subsequent order thereunder.

(6) Any order made under subsection (2) above may contain supplementary, incidental and consequential provisions.

(7) In the application of this section to the inner London area any reference to the magistrates’ courts committee shall be treated as a reference to the committee of magistrates.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 68 substituted (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/709, art. 2(3), Sch.1

F2 Words in s. 68(1)-(3) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 92, 108(6), Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 8(d) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F3 Words in s. 68(1) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 92, 108(6), Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 8(f) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 68: functions of the Secretary of State transferred to the Lord Chancellor (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/709, art. 2(1), Sch.1