The Clerk

- Acts as legal advisor to the court and is legally qualified.

- Assists defendants who do not have legal advisors by explaining what happens step by step.

- Puts the charges to the defendant.

- Advises the magistrates on the law and procedure when necessary.

- Keeps a record of the proceedings.

Witness stand

When people come to court to give evidence (tell the story of what they saw) they stand in the witness box. First of all they have to take an oath which means they promise to tell the truth.

They then tell the magistrates what happened and sometimes the person from the law enforcement agency (prosecutor) and the defence ask them more questions.

The magistrates and the clerk usually take down notes of what they say to help them remember all the important facts.

There is a service called 'The Witness Service' which helps witnesses, victims and their families before, during and after the court hearing. The volunteers help witnesses understand where they have to go and what happens.

Prosecution

The prosecution represents different organisation that have to give the facts tothe magistrate to prove that the person broke the law. Most cases are handled by the Crown Prosecution Service, but others may include:

- The Royal Sociaty for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who for example bring people to court if they don't look after their animals properly

- Trading Standards who, for example, might charge a shop owner with selling out of date food or a restaurant which was filing to keep the kitchen clean enough

- TV Licensing Authority who might charge someone who did not have a TV licence

Find out what sort of cases these prosecutors would bring to court: Customs & Excise, Local Authorities, Health & Safety Executive, Environment Agency.

Defence

When someone has been accused of breaking the law, they usually have a solicitor in court to help them.

A Socilictor is someone who has qualification in the law and who can help with understanding what is happening. She/he can explain to the accused person what has been said so that they know what to say.

Probation

Probation officers help to supervise offenders in the community by trying to help them realise what they have done, how that has affected victims, and by helping them to go straight. Probation officers also write reports about people who have been found guilty to help magistrates decide what is the best way to deal with them.

Press

Sometimes there will be a reporter in court. Usually they are from the local newspaper but when a celebrity is in court there may be many more reporters. The press generally do not go into youth courts and and family proceedings courts because they can only report sertain things.

When a young person is in court the magistrates can stop the press from naming the person or reporting certain information.

At the moment television cameras are not allowed to film actual proceedings in court but they can film reconstructions.

The Court Usher:

- often wears a black coat so that people can find them easily

- checks the arrival of people at court

- shows people in and out of the court

- gives people information about which court they should be in

- calls the witnesses

- generally keeps things running smoothly

A good usher checks a witness' name and religion so that they can swear an oath on their Holy Book.

They also help a court run very efficiently and calm people down who are angry, worried or impatient, or often all three!