Magistrates ‘Uncomfortable’ with Single Justice Procedure

The Law Society Gazette (UK) reported on 26 March 2024 that the Magistrates’ Association of England and Wales has released a position statement calling on extensive reforms in the ‘single justice procedure’. The SPJ handles about 40,000 cases a month and involves hearing matters without the need for a Court hearing. Magistrates have raised concerns including such issues as to the work volume and not having sufficient time in order to consider cases and suggest making it a requirement that prosecutors see all pleas and mitigations from defendants before the cases are heard by the Magistrate.

A link to the article by Bianca Castro is here.

A press release issued by the Magistrates’ Association on 26 March 2024 is at this link.

The website to the Magistrates’ Association is at https://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/