Magistrates attack plans for ‘alcohol asbos’ to tackle drunken behaviour – The Guardian

Posted September 1st, 2009 in drinking banning orders, magistrates, news by sally

“A government policy to fine drunken troublemakers up to £2,500 under a new system of ‘alcohol asbos’ introduced today has been rubbished by magistrates whose job it is to impose them.”

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The Guardian, 31st August 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Black magistrate victimised after reporting concerns of racism – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 24th, 2009 in magistrates, news, racism, victimisation by sally

“A black magistrate who alleged she witnessed ‘hostile treatment’ of black defendants in court was victimised after reporting her concerns, a tribunal ruled.”

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Daily Telegraph, 21st August 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Magistrates angry over cuts as on-the-spot fines replace court hearings – The Times

Posted July 10th, 2009 in fines, magistrates, news by sally

“Magistrates are angry that they are being made to carry the brunt of cuts because their workload is being diverted away from the courts.”

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The Times, 10th July 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Jack Straw defends virtual courts after trial at police station – The Times

Posted May 28th, 2009 in live link evidence, magistrates, news by sally

“Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, was in court yesterday — to defend his plans for ‘virtual courts’, under which thousands of defendants will lose their right to have a courtroom hearing.”

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The Times, 28th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Magistrate resigns in Twitter row – BBC News

Posted April 27th, 2009 in internet, magistrates, news by sally

“A magistrate has resigned from the bench following a complaint about his use of the Twitter network.”

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BBC News, 25th April 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Magistrate resigns over homosexual comments – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 21st, 2009 in disciplinary procedures, homosexuality, magistrates, news by sally

“A magistrate has resigned after making derogatory comments about homosexuals in a BBC television documentary.”

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Daily Telegraph, 20th April 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Courts are racist, says black magistrate – The Times

Posted April 9th, 2009 in magistrates, news, race discrimination by sally

“A black magistrate claimed yesterday that a culture of courtroom racism routinely saw innocent ethnic minority defendants found guilty before being handed the harshest possible jail sentence.”

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The Times, 9th April 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Magistrate ‘fell asleep’ during trial – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 26th, 2009 in magistrates, news by sally

“A magistrate, John Harrison, is under investigation after reportedly falling asleep during a teenager’s trial for an alleged assault.”

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Daily Telegraph, 26th March 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

R (Longato) v Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court – WLR Daily

Posted March 24th, 2009 in ASBOs, law reports, magistrates by sally

R (Longato) v Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court [2009] WLR (D) 104

The statutory procedure for an application to extend a closure order, set out in s 5(3) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, which provided that within a reasonable time before the hearing of an application a summons might be issued by a justice of the peace to the former occupier of the premises, did not oust or modify the general procedural requirements of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 or r 99 of the Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981; if the court failed to issue and serve the summons in the manner prescribed, its ability to hear the complaint was fettered.”

WLR Daily, 23rd March 2009

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in once of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

More power for JPs raises fear of prison overcrowding crisis – The Times

Posted March 20th, 2009 in magistrates, news, prisons by sally

“Longer prison sentences for assault, theft and benefit fraud are likely under plans to overhaul the courts system. But the proposed stronger powers for magistrates could bring the country’s overcrowded prisons to breaking point, campaign groups say.”

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The Times, 20th March 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

R (Perinpanathan) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court – WLR Daily

Posted March 13th, 2009 in costs, forfeiture, law reports, magistrates by sally

R (Perinpanathan) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court; [2009] WLR (D) 92

In exercising its power under s 64(1) Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 to make ‘such order as to costs … as it thinks just and reasonable’ a magistrates’ court was entitled, when dismissing forfeiture proceedings, to take into account its view that the application had reasonably been made.”

WLR Daily, 12th March 2009

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Beyond reasonable doubt – BBC News

Posted March 11th, 2009 in magistrates, news, standard of proof by sally

“Magistrates dealing with criminal offences are ‘case-hardened’ and may not properly apply the correct standard of proof, a prominent barrister claims.”

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BBC News, 10th March 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Suspended magistrate is reinstated as review finds dismissal was ‘disproportionate’ – The Guardian

Posted February 16th, 2009 in dismissal, magistrates, news by sally

“A magistrate who was suspended for criticising the police is to be reinstated after an independent review decided a recommendation to dismiss her was ‘disproportionate’ and the hearing that led to it was flawed and unfair, the Guardian has learned.”

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The Guardian, 16th February 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

JPs win first round in battle over extention of on-the-spot fines – The Times

Posted February 5th, 2009 in fines, magistrates, news by sally

“Magistrates have won a first-round battle over the growing use of on-the-spot fines, which they warn, are undermining public confidence in the justice system.”

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The Times, 5th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Practice Direction: Applications in the magistrates’ court to enforce contact orders – WLR Daily

Posted November 10th, 2008 in contact orders, enforcement, family courts, magistrates, practice directions by sally

Practice Direction: Applications in the magistrates’ court to enforce contact orders; [2008] WLR (D) 345

Applications to enforce contact orders made in the magistrates’ courts are to be considered by family proceedings courts.”

WLR Daily, 7th November 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.


Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Food City Express Ltd – WLR Daily

Posted October 14th, 2008 in law reports, licensing, magistrates by sally

Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Food City Express Ltd; [2008] WLR (D) 314

“On an appeal against a decision of a licensing authority on a point of procedure a magistrates’ court may not displace a lawful decision and remit the case on the basis that the authority’s discretion should have been exercised differently.”

WLR Daily, 13th October 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Magistrate claims race discrimination against Ministry of Justice – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 7th, 2008 in magistrates, news, race discrimination by sally

“A black magistrate claims she suffered a nine-year campaign of discrimination by senior court officials and was unfairly denied promotion due to her colour.”

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Daily Telegraph, 7th October 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Police cautions and on-the-spot fines leave magistrates with nothing to do – The Times

Posted August 28th, 2008 in fines, magistrates, news by sally

“Adult and youth courts in the Midlands are being cancelled because more offenders are being given on-the-spot fines, according to a letter leaked to The Times.”

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The Times, 28th August 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Magistrate loses bid to sue daughter-in-law for libel over assault claim – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 15th, 2008 in defamation, magistrates, news by sally

“A magistrate who tried to sue his former daughter-in-law for defamation claiming she had ‘maliciously’ accused him of assault has lost his case. ”

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Daily Telgraph, 15th July 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Magistrates should be banned from handing out custodial sentences – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 14th, 2008 in magistrates, news, sentencing by sally

“Magistrates should be banned from handing out custodial sentences to help ease overcrowding in prisons, an influential report says.”

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Daily Telegraph, 13th July 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk