A New Framework For Local Justice

EDM number 2325 in 1992-93, proposed by Paul Boateng on 14/07/1993.

That this House notes with grave concern the Government White Paper, A New Framework for Local Justice and the consultative documents issued thereafter which threaten to alter fundamentally the relationship between lay magistracy and their legally qualified clerks; shares the fears of magistrates all over the country and their view that these proposals will undermine the independence of the magistracy by centralising power in the hands of the Lord Chancellor's Department; notes in this regard the resolutions of branches of the Magistrates' Association, 33 out of 58 of which have already registered their opposition to the proposals; affirms its belief that these proposals will further undermine the administration of justice; and calls upon the Lord Chancellor's Department to bring forward new proposals which will increase the efficiency of the magistrates' courts service and restore its morale by giving due consideration to the local ties of the magistracy and the importance of its adequate resourcing and independence of operation in the furtherance of the proper administration of justice.

This motion has been signed by a total of 81 MPs.