Courts Boards
From SR
History
Sections 4 and 5 and Schedule 1 to the Courts Act 2003 made provision for the establishment of Courts Boards to work in partnership with HM Courts Service to achieve effective and efficient administration of the courts.
Roles
The Courts Boards do not manage or administer the courts themselves, but give advice and make constructive recommendations to foster improvement in the administrative services provided.
The role of the Courts Boards is:
- to scrutinise, review and make recommendations about the way in which the courts are being run in their area
- to consider draft and final business plans.
The Courts Boards have no remit in relation to the work of the judiciary and all members of Courts Boards respect and support judicial independence. Instead they offer an opportunity for local people to contribute to decisions like:
- where courts are located
- how customer service can be improved
- how the best use can be made of resources to deliver a high level of service across the jurisdictions: civil, criminal and family
Structure
There are 23 Courts Boards across England and Wales, one for each of the local management areas administered by Area Directors.
Each Courts Boards meets four times a year, allowing them to take an overall view of the administration of the courts in the area. They meet with the Area Director, who provides papers for Courts Boards members consideration. There is Statutory Guidance to help them perform their role fully and the Courts Boards (Appointments and Procedure) Regulations 2004 set out some of the key procedures the Boards follow.
Each Courts Boards must have a minimum of seven members:
- one judge
- two magistrates from within the Courts Boards area
- two people with knowledge or experience of the courts in the local area
- two people who are representative of the people living in the Courts Boards area
