Details
The new edition of the bestselling Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook provides a complete practical guide for the busy practitioner. Incorporating full references to the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines, it offers all you need in one trustworthy source.
Covering all the key aspects of magistrates' court practice, the book focuses on the areas most likely to arise at short notice requiring an instant response from the advocate, as well as on those offences most frequently experienced at court, such as assault, public order, dishonesty, drugs, weapons, driving, criminal damage, and sexual offences.
Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook's easy-to-use pocket-sized format facilitates quick reading and instant decision-making. Tables, flow-charts, and a clear system of icons aid comprehension and speedy navigation. Cross-referencing to Blackstone's Criminal Practice 2024 provides you with easy access to in-depth commentary.
New to this Edition:
- Cross-references throughout to Blackstone's Criminal Practice 2024
- Updated to take account of key developments including the Criminal Practice Directions 2023, the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022, and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Part A Procedure and Evidence
A1: Abuse of Process
A2: Adjournments
A3: Admissibility and Exclusion of Evidence
A4: Allocation and Plea Before Venue
A5: Amending Charge
A6: Appeals and Reopening
A7: Bad Character
A8: Bail
A9: Binding Rulings
A10: Case Management
A11: Civil Orders
A12: Commencing Proceedings: Time Limits
A13: Costs
A14: Court-Appointed Legal Representatives
A15: Custody Time Limits
A16: Disclosure
A17: Evidence in Civil Cases
A18: Extradition
A19: Hearsay
A20: Identification Evidence
A21: Legal Aid
A22: Mental Disorder
A23: Misbehaviour at Court
A24: Presence of Defendant in Court
A25: Precharge hearings
A26: Remand Periods
A27: Reporting Restrictions
A28: Sending and Transfer for Trial
A29: Special Measures and Vulnerable Witnesses
A30: Submission of No Case
A31: Transfer/Remittal of Criminal Cases
A32: Video Links
A33: Warrants
A35: Witnesses, Issue of Summons or Warrant
Part B Youths in the Adult Court
B1: Age of Offender and the Position of Those Attaining 18
B2: Bail
B3: Breach of Orders, and New Offences Committed During an Order
B4: Jurisdiction of the Adult Magistrates' Court over Youths
B5: Managing the Case
B6: Parents and Guardians
B7: Remittal to the Youth Court for Trial/Sentence
B8: Reporting Restrictions
B9: Sentencing
B10: Summary Trials Involving Youths
Part C Offences
C1: Animal Offences
C2: Criminal Behaviour Order and Anti-Social Behaviour Order, Breach of
C3: Administration of Justice
C4: Communication Network Offences
C5: Criminal Damage
C6: Drugs
C7: Education Act
C8: Immigration Offences
C9: Prison Offences
C10: Protective Orders
C11: Public Order
C12: Road Traffic Offences-Definitions
C13: Road Traffic Offences
C14: Sexual Offences
C15: Dishonesty and Offences Against Property
C16: Offences Against the Person
Part D Sentencing
D1: Age of Offender
D2: Alteration of Sentence
D3: Criminal Behaviour Orders
D4: Banning Orders (Football)
D5: Bind Over
D6: Breach of prison licence supervision
D7: Committal for Sentence
D8: Community Orders and Sentences: General
D9: Compensation Order
D10: Confiscation: Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
D11: Custodial Sentences
D12: Dangerous Offenders
D13: Deferment of Sentence
D14: Deprivation Order
D15: Detention in Young Offender Institution
D16: Discharges; Conditional and Absolute
D17: Discounts for Early Plea
D18: Disqualification from Driving
D19: Exclusion from Licensed Premises
D20: Financial Circumstances Order
D21: Fines
D22: Forfeiture Order
D23: Guardianship and Hospital Orders
D24: Newton Hearings
D25: Offences Taken into Consideration
D26: Penalty Points for Driving Offences
D27: Prescribed Minimum Sentences
D28: Pre-Sentence Drug Testing
D29: Pre-Sentence Reports
D30: Previous Convictions
D31: Prosecution Costs
D32: Racially and Religiously Aggravated Crimes
D33: Remand to Hospital for Reports
D34: Restitution Order
D35: Restraining Order
D36: Return to Custody
D37: Sexual Offences Notification Requirements
D38: Sexual Harm Prevention Order
D39: Sexual Orientation, Disability, or Transgender Identity
D40: Victim Surcharge Order and Criminal Courts Charge
D41: Suspended Sentences
D42: Time on Remand or Qualifying Curfew
Appendices
Appendix 1: Case Management and Standard Case Preparation Time Limits
Appendixn 2: Extracts from Criminal Procedure Rules 2014
Appendix 3: Indictable Only Offences and Offences Carrying Life Imprisonment
Appendix 4: Relevant Offences for the Purposes of Special Measures Direction
Appendix 5: Specified Offences under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, Schedule 15 (Dangerous Offender Provisions)
Appendix 6: Fraud Guideline
Appendix 7: Rehabilitation Periods
Anthony Edwards is a solicitor with TV Edwards, a duty solicitor, a supervisor for the specialist fraud panel and a higher courts advocate (Criminal Courts). He has served at almost every level of committee in the criminal justice system and is currently a member, of the editorial board of Criminal Law Review, and a member of the Law Commission's advisory group on criminal law. He is also one of the country's leading trainers in criminal law.
Review(s) from previous edition
"Easy to read and not only extremely useful for advocates but could be a vital quick reference document for legal advisors and magistrates - John Thornhill JP, The Magistrate
Review(s) from previous editionAn excellent book...it covers virtually every area of law and procedure you may encounter in the magistrates' court. Even better - it is handbag sized! - Natasha McDermott, Managing Partner, Carters Solicitors
Review(s) from previous edition
"I shall want rarely to be without it. As a Resident Judge I am regularly dealing with the interface between the Crown Court and the Magistrates' Court. I often find myself groping for information about the regular practice and procedure in the Magistrates' Court. It has until now been difficult to find help consistently in any one place - HHJ Peter Collier QC
