Identity of court personnel

Court personnel include the bench, that is judges or magistrates counsel for either side (see section 1.1.8.4) and the court usher appointed to keep silence and order in court, and to attend upon the judge. All judges are appointed by the Crown, and the appointment is salaried and pensionable. 

In the Magistrates Court there are 2-7 Justices of the Peace or, in London and some large cities, possibly a District Judge (formerly stipendiary magistrate). Justices of the Peace are lay persons appointed by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the Queen. The office dates back to the thirteenth century, but is now mainly regulated by the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Justices sit part-time. They are not paid, but are reimbursed for 

A Clerk to the Justices advises justices on questions of law, procedure and evidence but should not be involved in the magistrates function of trying the case. Legislation specifies the qualifications for justices clerks. 

For the Court of Appeal, normally three judges sit. They are called Lord Justices of Appeal. Appointments are normally made from High Court judges. An alternative prerequisite is 10 years High Court qualification. High Court judges may also be asked to assist in the Court of Appeal. The Master of the Rolls is president of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal. The Lord Chief Justice presides in the Criminal Division. 

The Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as the final court of appeal sits with at least three Law Lords. The Law Lords include the Lord Chancellor, the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary (who must have held high judicial office for two years or have 15 years Supreme Court (see section 1.1.8.5) qualification, and Peers of Parliament who hold or have held high judicial office. 

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Main elements of procedure in such courts identity of court personnel. 

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