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Version Superseded: 21/07/2008
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Courts Act 2003, Cross Heading: District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 September 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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(1)Her Majesty may, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, appoint a person who has a 7 year general qualification to be a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).
(2)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) must, before acting as such, take the oath of allegiance and judicial oath in accordance with the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72) and the Promissory Oaths Act 1871 (c. 48).
(3)The Lord Chancellor may pay to a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) such allowances as he may determine.
(4)Any such allowances are in addition to the salary charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund under section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1973 (c. 15).
(5)The Lord Chancellor may [F1, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] remove a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) from office on the ground of incapacity or misbehaviour.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 22(5) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15, Sch. 4 para. 323; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(y)
[F2Her Majesty]
(a)may designate one of the District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) to be Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate), and
(b)if [F3she] does so, may designate another of them to be the deputy of the Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate).
Textual Amendments
F2Words in s. 23 substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 5(a); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 9
F3Words in s. 23 substituted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 14, Sch. 3 para. 5(b); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 9
(1)The Lord Chancellor may appoint a person who has a 7 year general qualification to be a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) for such period as the Lord Chancellor considers appropriate (but subject to subsection (4)).
(2)A Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) must, before acting as such, take the oath of allegiance and judicial oath in accordance with the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 and the Promissory Oaths Act 1871.
(3)The Lord Chancellor may pay to a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) such remuneration and allowances as he may determine.
(4)The Lord Chancellor may [F4, with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice,] remove a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) from office on the ground of incapacity or misbehaviour.
(5)During the period of his appointment, a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts)—
(a)is to act as a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), and
(b)is to be treated for all purposes (apart from appointment, tenure, remuneration, allowances and pensions) as if he were a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).
Textual Amendments
F4Words in s. 24(4) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15, Sch. 4 para. 324; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(y)
(1)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) is by virtue of his office a justice of the peace for England and Wales.
(2)It is the duty of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) to act as a justice of the peace in any local justice area in accordance with arrangements made by [F5the Lord Chief Justice, after consulting the Lord Chancellor] .
[F6(3)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (2).]
Textual Amendments
F5S. 25(2): words 'or on behalf of the Lord Chancellor' left out, and words 'the Lord Chief Justice, after consulting the Lord Chancellor' inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15, Sch. 4 para. 325(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(y)
F6S. 25(3) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15, Sch. 4 para. 325(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(y)
(1)Nothing in the 1980 Act—
(a)requiring a magistrates' court to be composed of two or more justices, or
(b)limiting the powers of a magistrates' court when composed of a single justice,
applies to a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).
(2)A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) may—
(a)do any act, and
(b)exercise alone any jurisdiction,
which can be done or exercised by two justices, apart from granting or transferring a licence.
(3)Any enactment making provision ancillary to the jurisdiction exercisable by two justices of the peace also applies to the jurisdiction of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), unless the provision relates to granting or transferring a licence.
(4)This section does not apply to the hearing or determination of family proceedings (as defined by section 65 of the 1980 Act).
(5)“The 1980 Act” means the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43).
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