centre for public scrutiny

The Courts Act 2003 introduced local courts boards, which are intended to secure the local accountability and scrutiny of all courts within a particular area. Membership of each board comprises judges, magistrates, people with professional experience of the courts, and members of local communities. Board members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs.

Courts boards have a statutory duty to scrutinise the management of local court services, to make recommendations about how courts are run and where they are located, and to represent the interests of the local community. They approve the business plans for court management, thereby holding local chief officers accountable for their delivery. Courts boards ultimately have a right of making representation to ministers if they are dissatisfied with a local chief officer's performance.

Related Links
Department for Constitutional Affairs - Courts Boards Guidance
This document offers an accessible and comprehensive explanation of the role that Courts Boards play.