Rural Magistrates Courts

HC Deb 27 June 2000 vol 352 c492W

42. Mr. Paterson

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the work of rural magistrates courts. [126378]

Jane Kennedy

There is no difference in the work of magistrates courts in either a rural or urban location. All magistrates courts have the same criminal jurisdiction.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 25 January 2000, Official Report, column 180W. Magistrates courts are best managed locally by the relevant magistrates courts committee under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997.