Transforming Summary Justice: Modernisation in the Lower Criminal Courts

The book Transforming Summary Justice examines the changes being made to the lower-tier magistrates courts in England and Wales to modernize the system and speed up case processing. It argues that due process protections are being undermined in some areas. The research is based on empirical research with lay magistrates and criminal justice professionals, and will be of interest to students of criminology, criminal justice, and socio-legal studies, as well as justice and legal professionals.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 164 pages
\n Publication date: 04 February 2019
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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In a significant move to modernize and expedite the lower-tier magistrates courts in England and Wales, sweeping changes are being implemented. These reforms aim to provide prompt justice within a modern, efficient, and technologically advanced system. However, it is important to note that these transformations are fundamentally altering the way justice is delivered.

To delve into this issue, Transforming Summary Justice presents empirical research conducted alongside lay magistrates and criminal justice professionals. The insights and experiences shared by magistrates are invaluable, as they play a central role in the lower court justice system. Furthermore, magistrates offer a broader perspective of the context in which the lower criminal courts operate, enabling a critical appraisal of this distinctive form of 'lay justice.'

This book is specifically designed for students of criminology, criminal justice, and socio-legal studies. It offers stimulating debates and valuable insights that can be engaged with in contemporary analyses of criminal court justice. It will also be of interest to justice and legal professionals who are witnessing significant alterations to the field in which they work. The book's appeal extends beyond common-law jurisdictions, where similar modifications to lower court justice are underway, and to Europe, where the involvement of lay individuals in legal decision-making is being debated and gradually accepted as a practice.

In conclusion, Transforming Summary Justice provides a comprehensive examination of the ongoing changes in the lower-tier magistrates courts in England and Wales. Through empirical research and critical analysis, it sheds light on the implications of these reforms and highlights the need for careful consideration of due process protections in the pursuit of efficiency and modernity in the justice system.

\n Weight: 381g\n
Dimension: 210 x 150 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367226091\n \n