AN OVERCROWDED BENCH.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."3 SIR,—In the agitation which has been and is being carried on for the appointment of an increased number of Liberal J.Ps. one side of the question does not appear to have been thought worthy of consideration—that is, the effect of the new appointments on the administration of justice. Now I am prepared to assume that the newly-appointed men are fully qualified for the performance of judicial duties. But Benches can be overcrowded with good men, and experience teaches that if the magistrates in a police-court are to act together their number should not exceed five or six. In former times this was the number usually found on our Benches. In the Court in which I sit the number of magistrates in attendance now ranges from twelve to eighteen. What is the result ? The Bench is filled and the jury-box also. The dignity of the Court suffers. The crowded magis- trates forget they are presiding in a court of law. Whispered conversations are carried on during the hearing of cases. When a decision has to be given, and the length of a term of imprisonment or the amount of a fine determined, there is much confusion in ascertaining the opinions of the twelve to eighteen magistrates and bringing them into any kind of agreement. Sometimes we retire to our private room to con- sider our decision, and the work of the Court is suspended while a debate takes place and various proposals are voted upon. This is the present condition of things, and any further addition to our numbers must increase our difficulties. We have tried to arrange a rota attendance, but the majority of our members decline to forego their right to sit at each weekly Court.—I am, Sir, &c., COITNTY J.P.
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