Covering all the key aspects of magistrates' court practice, the book focuses on the areas most likely to arise at short notice requiring an instant response from the advocate, as well as on those offences most frequently experienced at court, such as public order, dishonesty, drugs, weapons, driving, criminal damage, and sexual offences.

With a new, more streamlined format for the 2020 edition, Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook provides the perfect balance of portability and detail, facilitating quick navigation and instant decision-making. Tables, flow-charts, and a clear system of icons aid comprehension and speedy navigation. Cross-referencing to Blackstone's Criminal Practice 2020 provides you with easy access to in-depth commentary, whilst a new appendix updates the latest edition of Blackstone's Handbook of Youths in the Criminal Courts (published in 2018) to reflect major developments in the law and practice relating to youths in the criminal justice system.