Updated - July 2010

The Bench Book for the Adult Court is intended to assist magistrates to meet the high standards that are now expected of them. They will find that the Bench Book provides them with a set of tools which will assist them in their work. It will promote a consistent approach to decision making and court procedure. The national guidelines, checklists and pronouncements that are included should be of greatest value in helping magistrates undertake the task of decision making in a fair and structured manner. This will increase the public’s confidence in their decisions.