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      • Courts & procedure

        Introduction to the Magistrates Court

        With a Glossary of Words, Phrases, Acronyms and Abbreviations

        by Bryan Gibson (Author)

        Contains a basic explanation of the work of the magistrates' court and an outline of jurisdiction, procedures, sentencing and other powers - plus proposals for reform. This book also contains a glossary, phrases and abbreviations. It is useful to people unfamiliar with magistrates' courts.

      • Courts & procedure

        Introduction to the Family Proceedings Court

        by Elaine Laken (Author), Bazell Chris (Author)

        An outline of the Law and practice of the family proceedings court in England and Wales, this introductory handbook contains: Part I: An introduction to the jurisdiction, powers and procedures of the family proceedings court; and Part II: A selection of informative materials. The handbook avoids jargon and complexity to provide an accessible reference point for all people interested in how decisions are arrived at in this court.

      • Courts & procedure

        The Magistrates' Court

        An Introduction

        by Bryan Gibson (Author), Mike Watkins (Author)

        A simple speedy summary, this fully revised Fifth Edition takes account of the wide scale changes which have affected the work of Justices of the Peace and their courts in recent years. A unique handbook - Consistently rated excellent by reviewers - Especially useful for newcomers to the topic A most useful introduction that can be used alongside other training materials or as an ideal self-study guide. Also includes a Timeline and an extensive Glossary of Words, Phrases, Acronyms and Abbreviations - the language of the system - which will be of particular use to people wishing to quickly get to grips with the terminology of the magistrates’ courts. * Topics covered include: * the History of the magistracy and its robust heritage * the modern-day magistrates' court * recent changes in administration and powers * how people become JPs * their training, development, mentoring and appraisal * fundamental principals and tenets * the key relationship between JPs and their legal advisers * trial in the magistrates' court * summary justice, crime and anti-social behaviour * sentencing and connected items * guidelines, advice and judicial oversight * important rules and procedures * diversity, equality, fairness and human rights * relationship to the Crown Court (and other courts) * magistrates and district judges * reasoned decision-making * location within the wider Criminal Justice System * the role of the Ministry of Justice * the role of HM Court Service * adult courts, youth courts and family courts * road traffic and other 'specialist' areas * civil and 'non-police' matters * a range of 'everyday topics' * sample procedures * open justice, media reporting and public confidence * key committees, liaison arrangements and membership bodies * a wealth of further detail (but all 'uncluttered' by technical data). * Bryan Gibson is editor-in-chief, Waterside Press. He is a barrister, former co-editor of Justice of the Peace and a regular contributor to specialist journals. He was for 25 years a justices’ clerk and during much of that time an elected member of the Council of the Justices’ Clerks’ Society (and chair of its Criminal Law Committee). He is co-author (with Paul Cavadino) of The Criminal Justice System, author of The New Ministry of Justice, The New Home Office, and The Pocket A-Z of Criminal Justice (amongst many others). He has also written for The Guardian, The Stage and numerous journals including Justice of the Peace, The Independent Monitor, and Prison Journal. Mike Watkins is an experienced trainer of magistrates who has written materials for the Judicial Studies Board, Magistrates’ Association and Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge.

      • Courts & procedure

        Youth Justice and The Youth Court

        An Introduction

        by Mike Watkins (Author), Diane Johnson (Author)

        A timely guide to the entire youth justice process at a point of substantial change. * An introduction to the entire Youth Justice System (YJS) * An holistic approach covering both the youth court and the wider youth justice process * Contains expert descriptions, comment (sometimes critical) and analysis * Everything you need to start understanding the modern-day Youth Justice System (YJS) This book is the ideal starting point for anyone wishing to gain or enhance understanding of youth justice in England and Wales. It contains chapters on each of the areas in which youth offenders or those at risk of offending come into contact with the Youth Justice System (YJS). It looks at the roles of the youth court, police, Crown prosecutors, youth offending teams (YOTs), youth offending panels (YOPs), voluntary sector and wider community. It deals with sentencing (including the work of the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC)), the responsibilities of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and a range of ways in which crime prevention and anti-social behaviour (ASB) by young people is dealt with and discouraged. The book takes full account of the considerable changes introduced by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. It also looks at the unique welfare-based ethos of youth justice and modern-day ‘restorative approaches’, showing how youth justice practitioners seek to balance these with the needs of crime prevention and the challenge of protecting victims from (sometimes serious) youth offending. Also contains a Glossary of Words, Phrases, Acronyms and Abbreviations, a Timeline, plus illustrative Charts and Tables. For such a ‘simple, speedy, summary’ it contains a treasure trove of information. Review 'Well structured and easy to navigate with its diagrams and glossary ... its comprehensive coverage of the recent reforms and inclusion of the newly published sentencing guidelines make it the ideal starting point for the student and practitioner, or for those wanting to refresh their knowledge': Justice Journal Authors Mike Watkins is an experienced trainer of magistrates who has written materials for the Judicial Studies Board, Magistrates’ Association and Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge. Diane Johnson is Head of Service for Warwickshire Youth Offending Team (YOT). Chris Stanley is Chair of the East Kent Youth Court Panel and of the Kent Branch of the Magistrates’ Association. He is a member of the national Council of that body and its Youth Courts Committee. He is a former head of Policy and Research at Nacro and advises the Prison Reform Trust on matters of youth justice. Edited and with further material by Bryan Gibson

      • Courts & procedure

        The Magistracy at the Crossroads

        by David Faulkner (Editor), Sally Dickinson (Editor)

        Backed by the Magistrates’ Association and coincides with the 650th anniversary of JPs. Essential reading for criminal justice practitioners, this is a key text at a critical time for government and the courts and is supported by a substantial media campaign. A celebratory volume and collection piece. After 650 years justices of the peace find themselves at a crossroads. This book looks at the role of one of the UK’s oldest institutions in a rapidly changing world. Well-informed, thought-provoking and published at a critical time when government is looking to find ever more efficient and cost-effective ways to deliver justice, this book by leading commentators from the courts, universities, the media and the magistracy itself examines the options for the future. It looks at economic and other pressures as well as demands for new kinds of community justice and changing ideas about public and voluntary service. It’s sheer breadth, expertise and diversity of views means it will be in demand across the criminal justice system as the best word on the subject. What is the modern-day role of the magistracy and how might it better serve the citizens to whom it ultimately belongs? From an age-old institution as a bastion of democracy to the idea that there should be fresh avenues of engagement and a greater sense of a fairness and transparency, each of the distinguished contributors’ chapters adds to the considerable value of a highly innovative and readable work.

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