In the adversarial system of UK law, England and Wales, an examining justice is a form of lay judge who presides over the Magistrates Court. They are highly trained and powerful individuals, hand picked by the Lord Justice of the United Kingdom who presides over both summary and either-way offences in the criminal courts as well as family, youth and civil courts.
They have powers of administering unlimited fines, penalties, custodial sentences of up to 12 months, court orders and other warrants such as §135 of the mental health act, or §1 of the Magistrates Court act at their own discretion, either internally or externally to the courtroom.
An examining magistrate will initiate a single justice procedure to sentence a serious offender instead of sitting in a panel. They blur the lines between district judges.
They have powers to authorise wiretaps, sentence at will, commit to the crown court and authorise private investigations. An examining magistrate may also prosecute at their private capacity.
They have powers of administering unlimited fines, penalties, custodial sentences of up to 12 months, court orders and other warrants such as §135 of the mental health act, or §1 of the Magistrates Court act at their own discretion, either internally or externally to the courtroom.
An examining magistrate will initiate a single justice procedure to sentence a serious offender instead of sitting in a panel. They blur the lines between district judges.
They have powers to authorise wiretaps, sentence at will, commit to the crown court and authorise private investigations. An examining magistrate may also prosecute at their private capacity.
by Lutonlegal February 17, 2025