Explanatory note

This Order enables the Lord Chancellor to enter into contracts for the provision of court staff by independent contractors. The court staff in question are those responsible for maintaining an administrative court service, for discharging the statutory functions of court officers and for generally carrying out the administrative work of the courts. The Order also enable the Lord Chancellor to enter into contracts for the provision of staff for carrying out the administrative work of the Special Commissioners, and of the VAT Tribunals in England and Wales. By virtue of section 27(4) of the Courts Act 1971, neither the contractors nor any officers or staff appointed by them may exercise any judicial functions or any power of arrest.