Explanatory note

Following amendments to the Police Act 1996 by the Courts Act 2003, lay justice members replace magistrate members as the third category of member of a police authority (in addition to councillor members and independent members). Lay justice members are appointed by councillor members and independent members from among candidates included on a short-list prepared by a selection panel in accordance with Schedule 3A to the 1996 Act. These Regulations provide for the procedures to be followed in relation to the preparation of such a short-list, and the conduct of the proceedings of the selection panel.

Regulation 3 requires the clerk to the police authority to notify the panel of a vacancy or impending vacancy for lay justice members. Regulation 4 provides for the selection panel to issue a notice advertising such a vacancy. Regulation 5 provides for the content of applications from lay justices wishing to be considered for inclusion on short-list. Regulation 6 requires the panel to consider such applications and provides for majority voting and for decisions to be taken when only two members of a panel are present. Regulation 7 requires the panel to make a record of applicants, and regulation 8 allows such a record to be used for the preparation of future short-lists without issuing a notice.