As Bexley Magistrates' Court prepares to open its doors to the public, LINDA PIPER meets chairman of the bench David Ely to find out what is in store for visitors.
FOR most of us, the nearest we will get to a magistrates' court is watching an episode of The Bill on television.
But on Saturday, Bexley Magistrates' Court is throwing open its doors for the day so members of the public can see what really goes on.
The court, in Norwich Place, is in the heart of Bexleyheath's town centre.
Chairman of the bench David Ely firmly believes a magistrates court should involve local justice by local people for local people.
Magistrates courts deal with 96 per cent of all the crime committed in the country.
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Only four per cent - the most serious cases - go onto crown court, where the punishments are far more severe.
Mr Ely, 60, who has been a magistrate for eight years, said: "Many people do not realise, while youth and family courts are held in private, adult courts are open to anyone aged over 14, to sit in the public gallery and watch the proceedings."
For anyone who thinks a court open day is dull, Mr Ely and his staff, who have been planning this event for nearly a year, are confident the day will be anything but.
The five courts will host mock trials, in which everyone except the defendant will be acting out their real job.
Around 60 of Bexley's 100-plus magistrates will be there to answer questions together with some staff from Woolwich Crown Court.
There will be tours of the court cells and the chance to see inside a prison van.
People can even have their photograph taken in judge's robes.
Lots of organisations with connections to the court will be there to explain their role in the justice system.
These include trading standards, Bexley police, the Crown Prosecution Service, television licensing, Serco - the company responsible for people in custody, the court witness service, Victim Support Bexley and even those responsible for enforcing court fines.
Also there will be those who specialise in dealing with young people in the court system and in mediation in family courts.
Children will be able to have fun with a fire engine and firefighters who will be outside the court, and have a go at various competitions and games such as a word treasure hunt.
Mr Ely also hopes it will also be a chance to tap into those people who may consider becoming a magistrate themselves.
He said: "Anyone aged 18 to 70 can become a magistrate and in Bexley we have all kinds of people, from homemakers to nurses to retired people."
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