Product Description

This title is a leading work of its kind. It is consistently rated excellent by reviewers, and is particularly useful for newcomers to the topic. It is a most useful self-contained introduction that can also be used to supplement other training materials or as an ideal guide to further, more detailed study. It also includes an extensive Glossary of Words, Phrases, Acronyms and Abbreviations - the language of the system - which will be of particular use to people coming into contact with the magistrates' courts for the first time. Topics covered include: * the history of the magistracy and its robust heritage * the modern-day magistrates' court * recent changes in administration and powers * how people become JPs * their training, development, mentoring and appraisal * fundamental principals and tenets * the key relationship between JPs and their legal advisers * trial in the magistrates' court * summary justice, crime and anti-social behaviour * sentencing and connected items * guidelines, advice and judicial oversight * important rules and procedures * diversity, equality, fairness and human rights * relationship to the Crown Court (and other courts) * magistrates and district judges * reasoned decision-making * location within the wider Criminal Justice System * the role of the Ministry of Justice * the role of HM Court Service * adult courts, youth courts and family courts * road traffic and other 'specialist' areas * civil and 'non-police' matters * a range of 'everyday topics' * sample procedures * open justice, media reporting and public confidence * key committees, liaison arrangements and membership bodies * a wealth of further detail (but all 'uncluttered' by technical data).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #236078 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 191 pages

About the Author
Bryan Gibson is editor-in-chief, Waterside Press. He is a barrister, former co-editor of Justice of the Peace and a regular contributor to specialist journals. He was for 25 years a justices' clerk and during much of that time an elected member of the Council of the Justices' Clerks' Society (and chair of its Criminal Law Committee). He is co-author (with Paul Cavadino) of The Criminal Justice System, author of The New Ministry of Justice, The New Home Office, and The Pocket A-Z of Criminal Justice (amongst many others). He has also written for The Guardian, The Stage and numerous journals including Justice of the Peace, The Independent Monitor, and Prison Journal. Mike Watkins is an experienced trainer of magistrates who has written materials for the Judicial Studies Board, Magistrates' Association and Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge.