Criminal Justice Act 1991

76 Provision of court security officers. E+W

(1) In relation to each petty sessions area, the committee shall from time to time determine—

(a) whether court security officers should be provided, that is to say, persons whose duty it is to maintain order in any court-house to which they are for the time being assigned by the committee; and

(b) if so, how many such officers should be provided, and whether they should be provided by the committee or by the responsible authority.

(2) As soon as practicable after the making of a determination under subsection (1)(b) above, the committee or, as the case may be, the responsible authority shall provide the required number of court security officers, on such terms and conditions as they may determine—

(a) by employing persons to act as court security officers; or

(b) by entering into a contract with another person for the employment by him of persons to act as such officers.

(3) Before making any determination under subsection (1) or (2) above in relation to a petty sessions area which does not consist of or form part of the inner London area, the committee shall consult with the responsible authority.

(4) Where, in relation to a petty sessions area which does not consist of or form part of the inner London area, the responsible authority is aggrieved by any determination made by the committee under subsection (1) or (2) above, the authority may, within one month from the receipt by the authority of written notice of the determination, appeal to the [F1 Lord Chancellor], whose decision shall be binding on the committee and the authority.

(5) Any determination which, in relation to a petty sessions area which consists of or forms part of the inner London area, is made by the committee under subsection (1) or (2) above, other than a determination that court security officers should not be provided for that area, shall not have effect unless it is confirmed, with or without modifications, by the [F1 Lord Chancellor].

(6) In this section—

• “the committee” means—

(a) in relation to a petty sessions area which consists of or forms part of a non-metropolitan county, a metropolitan district, an outer London borough, the City of London or a joint committee area, the magistrates’ courts committee for that county, district, borough, City or area; and

(b) in relation to a petty sessions area which consists of or forms part of the inner London area, the committee of magistrates;

• “the responsible authority” means—

(a) in relation to a petty sessions area which consists of or forms part of a non-metropolitan county, a metropolitan district, an outer London borough or the City of London, the council of that county, district or borough or, as the case may be, the Common Council of that City; and

(b) in relation to a petty sessions area which consists of or forms part of the inner London area, the Receiver.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 76(4)(5) substituted (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/709, art. 2(3), Sch. 1.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Functions of the Secretary of State under s. 76(4)(5) transferred (1.4.1992) to the Lord Chancellor by S.I. 1992/709, art. 2(1)(c), Sch.1.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 76 wholly in force at 1.4.1992 see s. 102(2)(3) and S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.