Explanatory note

These Rules revoke the Justices of the Peace (Size and Chairmanship of Bench) Rules 1990. The maximum number of justices who may sit to deal with a case in a magistrates' court is now three. The Rules also make new provision for election to the offices of chairman and deputy chairman of the justices. The main changes are the introduction of a nomination procedure in place of the shortlist procedure and a maximum period of office as chairman. In addition, the Rules provide for the establishment of a chairmanship committee whose function is to maintain a list of approved court chairmen eligible to preside in court.