ABSTRACT
Magistrates’ courts have a significant civil jurisdiction. They hear family proceedings under the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act (DPMCA) 1978 and the Children Act (CA) 1989. Here, the court is termed a ‘family proceedings court’. A family proceedings court must normally be composed of not more than three justices, including, as far as is practicable, both a man and a woman. Justices who sit on such benches must be members of the ‘family panel’ which comprises people specially appointed to deal with family matters. The magistrates’ court deals with adoption proceedings, applications for residence and contact orders (CA 1989), and maintenance relating to spouses and children. Under the DPMCA 1978, these courts also have the power to make personal protection orders and exclusion orders in cases of matrimonial violence. They have powers of recovery in relation to council tax and charges for water, gas and electricity. Magistrates grant, renew and revoke licences for selling liquor.
