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40 Medico-Legal J. 1 (1972)

handle is hein.journals/medlgjr40 and id is 1 raw text is: THE MEDICO-LEGAL JOURNAL Founded 19oi Vol. 40 1972 Part One EDITORIAL Courts Act 1971 THE Courts Act 1971 became effective on January 1, 1972. The criminal aspects of Assizes and almost the entire jurisdiction of quarter sessions have been taken over by Crown Courts. This is in line with the policy of the Lord Chancellor's gradual assumption of responsibility for all courts for the administration of justice and has undoubtedly been hastened by the local government proposals which mean that authorities responsible for quarter sessions will disappear or be materially altered. Concurrently, the Department of the Environment has produced recom- mendations for uniformity in court design and for the siting of courts in municipal centres. The Supreme Court now embodies the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Crown Court. Courts of Assize and quarter sessions are abolished and replaced by the Crown Court. The Crown Court may sit anywhere in England and Wales but the Lord Chancellor has designated places in which regular sessions will be held. The Crown Court is composed of three tiers which will deal with cases according to their gravity. For example, in the South-Eastern circuit, first tier courts will be held in Greater London and Norwich: second tier in Chelmsford, Ipswich, Lewes, Maidstone and Reading and third tier courts in a number of places including Bedford, Chichester and Southend. Judges are High Court Judges, Circuit Judges and Recorders, who are part- time. Normally proceedings will be heard by single Judges other than committals for sentence or appeals, when the Judge will sit with Justices. Under a schedule to the Act the Lord Chancellor has classified the offences to be tried at different levels. Class one includes any offence carrying the death penalty, treason, murder, and offences under the Official Secrets Act. Trial by a High Court Judge. Class two offences are manslaughter, abortion, rape, sedition and other of comparable gravity. Trial by a High Court Judge or by a Circuit Judge or Recorder on the recommendation of a High Court Judge responsible for a par- ticular circuit.