LegalizeReform history
Courts Act 1971
15 versions
· 1971-05-12
2022-03-10
Courts Act 1971
2018-02-26
Courts Act 1971
2011-04-06
Courts Act 1971
2009-10-01
Courts Act 1971
2009-06-01
Courts Act 1971
2009-04-01
Courts Act 1971
2007-10-01
Courts Act 1971
2007-09-01
Courts Act 1971
2007-07-19
Courts Act 1971
2006-04-03
Courts Act 1971
2005-11-24
Courts Act 1971
2005-04-01
Courts Act 1971
Changes on 2005-04-01
@@ -376,63 +376,13 @@
##### 27
- (1) The Secretary of State may, with the concurrence of the Treasury as to numbers and salaries, appoint such officers and other staff for the Supreme Court and county courts as appear to him appropriate for the following purposes, namely—
- (a) maintaining an administrative court service;
- (b) discharging any functions in those courts conferred by or under this or any other Act on officers so appointed; and
- (c) generally carrying out the administrative work of those courts.
- (2) The principal civil service pension scheme within the meaning of section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1972 and for the time being in force shall, with the necessary adaptations, apply to officers and staff appointed under subsection (1) above as it applies to other persons employed in the civil service of the State.
- (3) If and to the extent that an order made by the Secretary of State so provides, the Secretary of State may enter into contracts with other persons for the provision for the purposes mentioned in subsection (1) above, whether by those persons or by sub-contractors of theirs, of officers and staff for the Supreme Court and county courts.
- (4) No order under subsection (3) above shall authorise the contracting out of any functions the discharge of which would constitute—
- (a) making judicial decisions or advising persons making such decisions;
- (b) exercising any judicial discretion or advising persons exercising any such discretion; or
- (c) exercising any power of arrest.
- (5) An order under subsection (3) above may authorise the contracting out of any functions—
- (a) either wholly or to such extent as may be specified in the order;
- (b) either generally or in such cases or areas as may be so specified; and
- (c) either unconditionally or subject to the fulfilment of such conditions as may be so specified.
- (6) Before making an order under subsection (3) above, the Secretary of State shall consult with the senior judges as to what effect (if any) the order might have on the proper and efficient administration of justice.
- (7) An order under subsection (3) above shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
- (8) References in this section to the contracting out of any functions are references to the Secretary of State entering into contracts for the provision of officers and staff for the purpose of discharging those functions.
- (9) In this section—
- “*the senior judges*” means the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Family Division;
- “*the Supreme Court*” includes the district probate registries.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
#### Provision of accommodation
##### 28
- (1) The Secretary of State may with the approval of the Treasury provide, equip, maintain and manage such courts, offices, buildings, judges’ lodgings and other accommodation as may be necessary or desirable for carrying on the business of the Supreme Court and county courts.
- (2) It is hereby declared that the expression “land necessary for the public service” in—
- (a) section 2 of the Commissioners of Works Act 1852 (acquisition by agreement), and
- (b) section 228(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (power of Secretary of State to acquire compulsorily land necessary for the public service)
includes any land which is required to discharge the duties of the Secretary of State under this section.
- (3) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, in discharging his duties under this section enter into arrangements with a local or other public authority for the provision of accommodation to be used in part for the purposes set out in this section, and in part for other purposes, including in particular the sittings of a magistrates’ court.
- (4) Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect as respects premises formerly used for business of the abolished courts, and judges’ lodgings.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
#### Accommodation in City of London
@@ -744,9 +694,9 @@
- (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (b) a complaint is made to a justice of the peace acting for any area but the complaint is not proceeded with,
a magistrates’ court for that area may make such order as to costs to be paid . . . , by the complainant to the defendant as it thinks just and reasonable.
- (b) a complaint is made to a justice of the peace acting in any local justice area but the complaint is not proceeded with,
a magistrates’ court acting in that area may make such order as to costs to be paid . . . , by the complainant to the defendant as it thinks just and reasonable.
- (4) An order under subsection (3) above shall specify the amount of the costs ordered to be paid.
@@ -1712,9 +1662,7 @@
##### 17
- (1) In section 2 of the Indictments Act 1915 references to the rule committee shall be construed as references to the Crown Court rule committee, but this amendment shall not invalidate any rules previously made.
- (2) A statutory instrument containing rules under section 2 of the said Act of 1915 shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
### Judicature Act 1925
@@ -1953,7 +1901,7 @@
##### 49
In section 9(5) of that Act, for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the words “by a puisne judge of the High Court, a Circuit judge or Recorder sitting alone”.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
##### 50
@@ -2211,15 +2159,15 @@
## PART IV — Other Repeals
#### Location of sittings and business of High Court.
#### Administrative and other court staff.
#### Provision of accommodation.
#### Advisory committees.
Social Security Commissioner appointed under section 97 of the Social Security Act 1975.
#### The Supreme Court.
#### Masters and registrars to be appointed by Lord Chancellor.
#### Accommodation in City of London.
#### Administrative functions of justices.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
## Part IA — Certain Office–Holders Eligible for Appointment as Circuit Judges
@@ -2447,6 +2395,10 @@
[^c847776]: The text of ss. 26(3)(4), 51(2), 53(5) and 56(4) is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
[^c2070159]: [S. 27](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/27) repealed (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39), [ss. 109(1)(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/section/109/1/3), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/section/110), [Sch. 8 para. 139(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/schedule/8/paragraph/139/a), [Sch. 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/schedule/10); [S.I. 2005/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910), [art. 3(y)(aa)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910/article/3/y/aa) and s. 27(9) amended (with effect only until the aforementioned repeal comes fully into force in accordance with [Sch. 4 para. 361](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/schedule/4/paragraph/361) of the amending Act) by [2005 c. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4), [ss. 15(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/section/15/1), [148(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/section/148/1), [Sch. 4 para. 366](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/schedule/4/paragraph/366); [S.I. 2006/1014](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1014), [arts. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1014/article/2/a), [Sch. 1 para. 11(cc)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1014/schedule/1/paragraph/11/cc)
[^c2070481]: [S. 28](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/28) repealed (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 29)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29), [ss. 109(1)(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/109/1/3), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/110), [Sch. 8 para. 139(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/schedule/8/paragraph/139/b), [Sch. 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/schedule/10); [S.I. 2005/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910), [art. 3(y)(aa)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910/article/3/y/aa)
[^c2070482]: Words in [s. 29](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/29) substituted (19.8.2003) by [The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887), [arts. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/1/2), [9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/9), [Sch. 2 para. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/schedule/2/paragraph/2/1)
[^c2070488]: Words in [s. 30](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/30) substituted (19.8.2003) by [The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887), [arts. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/1/2), [9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/9), [Sch. 2 para. 2(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/schedule/2/paragraph/2/1)
@@ -2479,6 +2431,10 @@
[^c847809]: S. 52(3)(a) repealed by Costs in [Criminal Cases Act 1973 (c. 14)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/14), [Sch. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/14/schedule/2)
[^c2070489]: Words in s. 52(3)(b) substituted (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 29)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29), [ss. 109(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/109/1), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/110), [Sch. 8 para. 140(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/schedule/8/paragraph/140/a); [S.I. 2009/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/910), [art. 3(y)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/910/article/3/y)
[^c2070493]: Words in s. 52(3) substituted (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 29)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29), [ss. 109(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/109/1), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/110), [Sch. 8 para. 140(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/schedule/8/paragraph/140/b); [S.I. 2005/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910), [art. 3(y)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910/article/3/y)
[^c847810]: Words repealed by Costs in [Criminal Cases Act 1973 (c. 14)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/14), [Sch. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/14/schedule/2)
[^c847812]: Words substituted by [Magistrates Courts' Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/43), [s. 154(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/43/section/154/1), [Sch. 7 para. 96](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/43/schedule/7/paragraph/96)
@@ -2567,6 +2523,8 @@
[^c847894]: Words substituted by [Judicial Pensions Act 1981 (c. 20, SIF 71:2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/20), [s. 36(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/20/section/36/1), [Sch. 3 para. 6(1)(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/20/schedule/3/paragraph/6/1/4)
[^c2070507]: [Sch. 3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/3) repealed (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 29)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29), [ss. 109(1)(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/109/1/3), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/section/110), [Sch. 8 para. 139(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/schedule/8/paragraph/139/c), [Sch. 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/29/schedule/10); [S.I. 2005/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910), [art. 3(y)(aa)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910/article/3/y/aa)
[^c847901]: [Sch. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/4) repealed by [Juries Act 1974 (c. 23)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/23), [Sch. 3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/23/schedule/3)
[^c2070642]: [Sch. 5](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/5) repealed (22.7.2004) by [Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/14), [s. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/14/section/1/1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 1 Group 3}
@@ -2663,6 +2621,8 @@
[^c847964]: [1892 c. 64](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1892/64)
[^c2070517]: [Sch. 8 para. 17](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/8/paragraph/17) repealed (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39), [ss. 109(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/section/109/3), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/section/110), [Sch. 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/schedule/10); [S.I. 2005/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910), [art. 3(aa)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910/article/3/aa)
[^c847967]: [Sch. 8 para. 18](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/8/paragraph/18) repealed by [Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54, SIF 37)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/54), [s. 152(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/54/section/152/4), [Sch. 7](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/54/schedule/7)
[^c847965]: [1915 c. 90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1915/90).
@@ -2769,6 +2729,8 @@
[^c848033]: Section numbers repealed by [Legal Aid Act 1974 (c. 4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/4) Sch. 5 Pt. I
[^c2070530]: [Sch. 8 para. 49](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/8/paragraph/49) repealed (1.4.2005) by [Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39), [ss. 109(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/section/109/3), [110](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/section/110), [Sch. 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/39/schedule/10); [S.I. 2005/910](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910), [art. 3(aa)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/910/article/3/aa)
[^c848035]: [Sch. 8 para. 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/8/paragraph/11) repealed by [Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/71), [Sch. 6 Pt. I](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/71/schedule/6/part/I)
[^c848036]: [Sch. 8 para. 51](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/schedule/8/paragraph/51) repealed by [Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c. 62)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/62), [Sch. 6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/62/schedule/6)
@@ -2963,22 +2925,6 @@
[^c847768]: Words substituted by [Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/41), [s. 71(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/41/section/71/2), [Sch. 10 para. 32(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/41/schedule/10/paragraph/32/2)
[^c847781]: [S. 27](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/27) substituted (3.1.1995) by [1994 c. 40](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/40), [ss. 76](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/40/section/76), [82(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/40/section/82/2), [Sch. 16 para. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/40/schedule/16/paragraph/2)
[^c847782]: [1972 c. 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/11).
[^c2070149]: Words in [s. 27](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/27) substituted (19.8.2003) by [The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887), [arts. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/1/2). 9, {Sch. 2 para. 2(1)}
[^c847797]: [1852 c. 28](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1852/28).
[^c847798]: [S. 28(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/28/2)(*b*) substituted by [Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act 1990 (c. 11, SIF 123:1, 2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/11), [s. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/11/section/4), [Sch. 2 para. 25](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/11/schedule/2/paragraph/25), [Sch. 3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/11/schedule/3)
[^c847799]: [1990 c.8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/8) (**123:1**).
[^c2070475]: [S. 28](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/28): functions transferred from the First Secretary of State to the Secretary of State (19.8.2003) by [The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887), [arts. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/1/2), [7](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/7) (with [art. 8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/8))
[^c2070317]: Words in [s. 28](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/23/section/28) substituted (19.8.2003) by [The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887), [arts. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/1/2), [9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/article/9), [Sch. 2 para. 2(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1887/schedule/2/paragraph/2/2)
[^c847878]: [1949 c.42](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1949/42) (**127**).
[^c847880]: [1983 c.55](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/55) (**40:2**).
@@ -3023,16 +2969,12 @@
[^c847922]: The text of Schedule 6 paras. 6, 7, 9(1), 12 and 13 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
[^c847966]: [1915 c. 90](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1915/90).
[^c848007]: [1969 c. 54](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1969/54).
[^c848009]: The text of Schedule 8 paras. 4, 5, 7–10, 12, 14, 15(1), 16, 19, 21, 28, 33, 37, 39, 41, 42(1), 45(1)(2)(4)(5), 49, 55, 58–60 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
[^c848010]: [1956 c. 34](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1956/34).
[^c848034]: The text of Schedule 8 paras. 4, 5, 7–10, 12, 14, 15(1), 16, 19, 21, 28, 33, 37, 39, 41, 42(1), 45(1)(2)(4)(5), 49, 55, 58–60 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
[^c848333]: [1963 c. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1963/2).
[^c848335]: [1963 c. 33](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1963/33).
2004-07-22
Courts Act 1971
2003-08-19
Courts Act 1971
1971-05-12
Courts Act 1971
original version
Text at this date