Law – 1 English legal system | e-Consult
1 English legal system (1 questions)
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Model Answer:
| Aspect | Magistrate (Lay) | District Judge (Professional) |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Selected by local advisory committees; appointed by the Crown on recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. | Appointed from the pool of qualified solicitors or barristers; selected by the Judicial Appointments Commission and appointed by the Crown. |
| Powers | Sit in panels of three; handle summary offences, preliminary hearings, and some civil matters; limited sentencing powers (up to 6 months’ imprisonment). | Sit alone; deal with all summary offences and some either‑way offences; broader sentencing powers (up to 12 months’ imprisonment) and authority to conduct trials of indictable offences in the Crown Court. |
| Removal | Can be removed by the Lord Chancellor on advice of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office for misconduct or incapacity. | Subject to the same removal process as other senior judges; may be dismissed for proven misbehaviour, incapacity or inability to fulfil duties, following a formal investigation. |