The Family Proceedings Courts (Constitution) Rules 1991

Appointments and formation of panel

4.—(1) The justices for each petty sessions area shall, at a meeting held in October 1991, and before 14th October 1991, of which seven days' notice shall be given to each justice for that area, appoint, in accordance with the provisions of these Rules, justices to form a panel for that area who shall, subject to rule 5(4), serve thereon for a term commencing on 14th October 1991 and expiring on 31st December 1993.

(2) The justices for each petty sessions area shall, at the meeting held in October 1993 in accordance with rules made under section 18 of the Act of 1979 for the purpose of electing a chairman of the justices, and thereafter at the said meeting in every third year, appoint, in accordance with the provisions of these Rules, justices to form a panel for that area who shall, subject to rule 5(4), serve thereon for a term of three years commencing on 1st January in the following year.

(3) The number of justices appointed to the panel for a petty sessions area shall be such as the justices for that area at the time of appointment think sufficent for family proceedings courts in the area.

(4) Nominations shall be permitted but where voting is necessary it shall be by secret ballot.

(5) The justices for a petty sessions area may at any time, subject to rule 5(1), appoint one or more additional members of the panel who shall serve thereon until the end of the period for which the other members of the panel were appointed.