Courts Act 2003

Valid from 01/04/2005

Supplementary provisions about the bench E+W

19 Training, development and appraisal of lay justices E+W

(1) Rules may (in addition to making provision under sections 10(4) and 18(6)) make provision for, or in connection with, the training, development and appraisal of lay justices.

(2) Such rules may make provision for committees, constituted in accordance with the rules, to have such functions as may be specified in the rules, including, in particular—

(a) providing advice and support to lay justices in connection with their functions as lay justices;

(b) identifying the training needs of lay justices;

(c) appraising lay justices and reporting on the results of appraisals;

(d) giving or withholding approval for the purposes of section 18;

(e) advising the Lord Chancellor in relation to authorisations of lay justices as members of family proceedings courts or youth courts;

(f) granting or revoking such authorisations on behalf of the Lord Chancellor.

(3) The Lord Chancellor must ensure that appropriate training and training materials are provided for lay justices with a view to enabling them to comply with requirements as to training imposed by rules under section 10 or 18 or this section.

20 Rules E+W

(1) In sections 10, 17, 18 and 19 “rules” means rules made by the Lord Chancellor.

(2) Before making any rules for the purposes of section 10, 17, 18 or 19 the Lord Chancellor must consult—

(a) the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee,

(b) the Family Procedure Rule Committee, and

(c) the Magistrates' Courts Rule Committee.

21 Duty to consult lay justices on matters affecting them etc. E+W

The Lord Chancellor must take all reasonable and practicable steps—

(a) for ensuring that lay justices acting in a local justice area are kept informed of matters affecting them in the performance of their duties, and

(b) for ascertaining their views on such matters.