Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980

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

(1)A relevant court [F1acting 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 [F2acting in that] area, have jurisdiction to hear proceedings which could be heard before a relevant court [F3acting 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 [F4Lord Chancellor].

(2)A magistrates’ court [F5acting in an inner London local justice] area shall not hear any [F6family proceedings] if the [F7Lord Chancellor so determines] .

(3)In this section—

  • relevant court” means a magistrates’ court when composed for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction to hear [F6family proceedings];

  • [F8inner 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

F8Words 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)