Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980

70 Jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts in inner London for domestic proceedings. E+W

(1) A relevant court [F1 acting in an inner London local justice] area shall, in addition to hearing proceedings which (apart from subsection (2) below) may be heard by a relevant court [F2 acting in that] area, have jurisdiction to hear proceedings which could be heard before a relevant court [F3 acting in any] other such area, but shall not exercise the jurisdiction conferred by this subsection except in such cases or classes of case as may be determined by the [F4 Lord Chancellor].

(2) A magistrates’ court [F5 acting in an inner London local justice] area shall not hear any [F6 family proceedings] if the [F7 Lord Chancellor so determines] .

(3) In this section—

• “relevant court” means a magistrates’ court when composed for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction to hear [F6 family proceedings];

• [F8 “inner London local justice area” means any local justice] area falling wholly or partly within the area consisting of the inner London boroughs and the City of London.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(2)(a); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F2 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(2)(b); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F3 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(2)(c); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F4 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(2)(d); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F5 Words in s. 70(2) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(3)(a); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F6 Words in s. 70(2)(3) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 92, 108(6), Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 8(c) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F7 Words in s. 70(2) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(3)(b); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)

F8 Words in s. 70(3) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 216(4); S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(y)