The Magistrates' Blog

Musings and Snippets from a recently retired JP. I served for 31 years, mostly in west London. I was Chairman of my Bench for some years, and a member of the National Bench Chairmen's Forum All cases are based on real ones, but anonymised and composited. All opinions are those of one or more individuals. JPs swear to enforce the law of the land, whether or not they approve of it. Nothing on here constitutes legal advice.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

So. Farewell then Bystander...

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We're very sorry to say that Bystander (real name Richard Bristow) died at Stoke Mandeville on June 4, aged 70. He was a Justice ...
51 comments:
Thursday, April 13, 2017

Back to the Ranch

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In the six months since my retirement from the bench I have not had cause to visit the courthouse. This week, however, I volunteered to show...
15 comments:
Thursday, February 09, 2017

New(ish) Stuff

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A friend recently asked me to cast an eye over a summons she has received for a speeding offence. She was going too fast for a speed awarene...
10 comments:
Saturday, January 21, 2017

Dog Days

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There was a news item this week about the sentencing of some people who organised dog fights, with large sums wagered on the result. I saw o...
8 comments:
Monday, December 26, 2016

In The Nick

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Prisons are in the news again, following recent outbreaks of disorder.  This is an excellent piece from the Telegraph I have been to Holle...
3 comments:
Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Supreme Chicken?

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The Supreme Court is now considering a crucial case that will clarify the power of the judiciary vis a vis that of Parliament. Many of the c...
14 comments:
Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Out of The Ordinary

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The right-wing fanatic who is accused of the murder of Jo Cox MP has opted not to give evidence nor to call any witnesses in his defence. Th...
7 comments:

Joined Up?

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According to the news on my radio today there are calls to make the wearing of military decorations that have not been legitimately earned p...
9 comments:
Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Priorities

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I am afraid that my mind has slipped off matters legal today, since my new granddaughter Martina was born at 1am GMT  today, in Bogota, Colo...
5 comments:
Wednesday, November 09, 2016

Fancy Having A Go?

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The MoJ's planning for recruitment to the bench is no better than their usual planning, unfortunately. When I was sworn in in 1985 I bec...
17 comments:
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Bystander
The blog is written by a retired JP, with over 30 years' experience on the Bench.
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