Magistrates Bench Handbook 2003

Description

The ideal resource for courts and others
With a Foreword by Lord Irvine of Lairg, Lord Chancellor
Comes complete with attractive green four-ring binder with golf lettering, contents and six red printed section dividers.

As some 15,000 magistrates (over a half of the magistracy) and many advocates have discovered, this handbook – developed in association with the Judicial Studies Board, Magistrates’ Association and Justices’ Clerks’ Society – contains a wealth of information in an accessible form to provide a key resource for magistrates’ courts. The new version contains all the revisions set out below. It comprises an attractive green binder with gold printing, named section dividers and five sections: Introduction, The Sentence of the Court, Guidelines, Decision-making, Reference Sheets for common procedures etc. and Pronouncements – plus a section for Local information.

1. Introduction
A Foreword by the Lord Chancellor affirming the advantages of a ‘standard model’ bench handbook which magistrates can develop and adapt locally – especially in terms of consistency of approach and in a human rights context. Sound basic information underpins proper treatment and reasoned decision-making.

2. The Sentence of the Court
The newly revised 2003 version of the third edition of this key work.

With a Foreword by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf

Includes everything that is in the 2002 revised paperback edition of The Sentence of the Court – and more (see further below).

3. Guidelines
The Magistrates’ Courts Sentencing Guidelines developed by the Magistrates’ Association, Justices’ Clerk’s Society and Association of Justices’ Chief Executives. Incliuded is 2003 revised advice on Considerations Affecting Decisions to Commit for Sentence.

4. Decision-making
Part 4 includes Judicial Studies Board Structured Decision-making Charts. The separate Reference Sheets section dealing with a range of day-to-day issues falling to be dealt with by magistrates has been updated for 2003.

5. Pronouncements
A set of pronouncements which combine good practice and the need to communicate clearly, precisely and in plain terms – obtaining necessary agreements and giving reasons. As revised in 2002 – There is free download of this part of the handbook – see end of page.

6. Local items
A free-standing section into which personal and other local bench selections can be inserted.