Part 2Justices of the peace

The commission of the peace and local justice areas

8Local justice areas

1

England and Wales is to be divided into areas to be known as local justice areas.

2

The areas are to be those specified by an order made by the Lord Chancellor.

3

Each local justice area established by order under subsection (2) is to be known by such name as is specified in the order (but subject to subsection (4)).

4

The Lord Chancellor may make orders altering local justice areas.

5

“Altering”, in relation to a local justice area, includes (as well as changing its boundaries)—

a

combining it with one or more other local justice areas,

b

dividing it between two or more other local justice areas, and

c

changing its name.

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Before making any order under subsection (2) or (4), the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice.

6

Before making an order under subsection (4) in relation to a local justice area the Lord Chancellor must consult—

a

the justices of the peace assigned to the local justice area,

b

any courts board whose area includes the local justice area or a part of the local justice area, and

c

unless the alteration consists only of a change of name, any local authorities whose area includes the local justice area or a part of the local justice area.

7

“Local authority” means—

a

any council of a county, a county borough, a London borough or a council of a district,

b

the Common Council of the City of London, or

c

a police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1996 (c. 16) or the Metropolitan Police Authority.

F28

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 this section.