Metropolitan Police Courts Act 1839

1. Introductory Text

2. Continuence of the Police Courts and Police Magistrates.

3. II. Her Majesty in Council may alter the Number and Situation of the Courts. Limiting Number of Magistrates.

4. III. Vacancies to be supplied by Her Majesty from Barristers.

5. IV. Magistrates, &c. exempt from serving on Juries.

6. V. Appointment of Clerks, Ushers, Doorkeepers, and Messengers.

7. VI. No Magistrate or Officer of the Courts to vote at certain Elections.

8. VII. Receiver of Metropolitan Police to be Receiver under this Act.

9. VIII. Extension of Powers and Duties of Receiver when acting under this Act.

10. IX. Salaries of Magistrates, Receiver, Clerks, and Officers.

11. X. In case of the Establishment of a Civil Court for Recovery of Small Debts, Her Majesty may appoint the Metropolitan Magistrates to take the Duties hereof.

12. XI. Her Majesty may direct an Issue from the Consolidated Fund towards the Expences of this Act.

13. XII. Time of Attendance of Magistrates.

14. XIII. Acts directed to be done by a neighbouring Justice may be done by any of the said Magistrates.

15. XIV. One Magistrate may do any Act directed to be done by more than One Justice. Except at Petty Sessions.

16. XV. Magistrates to meet quarterly for reporting to the Secretary of State.

17. XVI. Secretary of State may make Rules for conducting the Business of the Courts.

18. XVII. Process in respect of Matters arising within the Metropolitan Police District need not be endorsed.

19. XVIII. Summons for Persons to appear at any Place without the Limits specified in this Act, void.

20. XIX. Magistrates may proceed by Summons, and if Party summoned does not appear may issue Warrant.

21. XX. How Summons may be served.

22. XXI. Warrant for Apprehension may be issued without Summons.

23. XXII. Magistrates may enforce Attendance of Witnesses.

24. XXIII. Punishment of Persons giving false Evidence.

25. XXIV. Persons suspected of having or conveying stolen Goods.

26. XXV. In case of Information given that there is reasonable Cause for suspecting that any Goods have been unlawfully obtained and are concealed.

27. XXVI. Party from whom stolen Goods are received to be examined by the Magistrate.

28. XXVII. Power to order Delivery of Goods stolen or fraudulently obtained, and in Possession of Brokers and other Dealers in Second hand Property.

29. XXVIII. For removing Doubts as to ordering the Restoration of Property unlawfully pawned &c.

30. XXIX. Power to order Delivery of Possession of Goods charged to have been stolen or fraudulently obtained and in Custody of Constable.

31. XXX. Unclaimed stolen Goods delivered to the Receiver may be sold after 12 Months.

32. XXXI. Power to award Costs on hearing of Charges.

33. XXXII. Amends may be awarded for frivolous Informations.

34. XXXIII. Penalty on Common Informers for compounding Informations.

35. XXXIV. Power to lessen the Share of Informers.

36. XXXV. Power to mitigate Penalties. Proviso as to Revenue Acts.

37. XXXVI. Power to remand or enlarge Prisoners on Recognizances.

38. XXXVII. Disputes about Wages for Labour done on the River, &c. (except by Trinity Ballastmen) to be settled by Magistrates, provided the Sum in question does not exceed 5l.

39. XXXVIII. Power to order Compensation for wilful Damage by Tenants.

40. XXXIX. Power to deal summarily with Cases of oppressive Distresses.

41. XL. Power to order Delivery of Goods unlawfully detained to the Owner.

42. XLI. In case any House be in a filthy and unwholesome Condition, the Magistrate may order the same to be cleansed.

43. XLII. No other Justice shall take Fees within the Police District. Penalty 100l.

44. XLIII. Table of Fees to be hung up.

45. XLIV. Proceedings on Information before Magistrates.

46. XLV. Recovery of Penalties and Forfeitures.

47. XLVI. Accounts to be kept of Fees and Forfeitures received and delivered quarterly to the Receiver, and the Amount thereof paid to him.

48. XLVII. Certain Penalties and Forfeitures recovered to be paid to the Receiver. Not to extend to Penalties under Revenue Acts.

49. XLVIII. Forms of Information and Conviction.

50. XLIX. Conviction, &c. not to be quashed for Informality, &c.

51. L. Appeal to Quarter Sessions.

52. LI. Distress not unlawful for Want of Form.

53. LII. Plaintiff not to recover after Tender of Amends.

54. LIII. Limitation of Actions.

55. LIV. Commencement of Act. Repeal of former Acts:

56. LV. This Act to be construed with 10 G.4 c.44.

57. LVI. Certain Provisions of this Act not to extend to the Laws of Customs, Excise, Stamps, and Taxes, or Post Office.

58. LVII. Act may be amended this Session.

59. SCHEDULES to which the aforegoing Act refers.

    1. SCHEDULE (A.)

       Table of Fees

    2. SCHEDULE (B.)

       Form of Information