HC Deb 13 November 1967 vol 754 cc30-1
37. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give an assurance that solicitors are not, and will not be, appointed justices of the peace for the areas in which their firms practise.

The Solicitor-General

Solicitors are not appointed as justices of the peace for the areas in which their firms practise before the magistrates' courts, because if they were they and their partners would be disqualified by Section 33 of the Solicitors Act, 1957, from acting in proceedings before these courts. The only exceptions are justices on the supplemental list and ex-officio justices. The latter are excluded from acting as justices by virtue of an Order made by the Lord Chancellor under the Justices of the Peace Act, 1906.