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Difficulty: EasyCriminal Courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

In the Magistrates' Court in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the magistrates are usually members of the local community who are not legally trained. Who is responsible for providing them with advice on the law and court procedure during a case?

  1. A legally qualified clerkAnswer
  2. B
    A jury of 12 members of the public
  3. C
    A County Court judge
  4. D
    The police officer who made the arrest

Answer

A legally qualified clerk (or legal adviser) provides advice on the law and procedure to the magistrates in the Magistrates' Court.
The correct official is a legally qualified clerk, often referred to as a legal adviser. Their primary function is to support the magistrates, who are usually unpaid volunteers from the local community, by providing expert guidance on legal rules and the correct procedures to follow during a trial.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the court and the personnel mentioned in the scenario.
The setting is a Magistrates' Court where the magistrates are volunteers without legal training.
Magistrates' Courts handle approximately 95% of criminal cases and rely on community volunteers.
2
Recall the specific role responsible for legal guidance in this setting.
The official handbook states that a legally qualified clerk is present to provide advice.
Since magistrates are not usually lawyers, they require a professional to ensure the law is applied correctly.

Key Concept

Role of the Legal Clerk in Magistrates' Courts
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Criminal Courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

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