Magistrates’ courts are the lowest level of court in England and Wales. Approximately
95% of criminal cases are dealt with at this level and do not proceed to higher courts.
At the time of the Libra project, their administration was the responsibility of local administrative bodies called Magistrates’ Courts Committees
that employed more than 10 000 staff. Although they were independent bodies, the Magistrates’ Courts Committees were answerable for their performance to the Lord Chancellor, but each Committee decided on how best to provide an efficient and effective service within its area. Following from the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994, the number of Committees was being reduced from 105 to 42. Further changes were later included in the Courts Reform Bill introduced in 2002, paving the way for a merger of the magistrates’ courts with the other criminal, civil and family courts in England and Wales.
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