The book, buttressed by an excellent index, is an authoritative guide to the law. JUSTICE of the PEACE

Ian McLean was called to the Bar in 1951 and admitted to the Faculty of Advocates, Edinburgh, in 1985. His background includes criminal practice both in England and as a law officer in Northern Nigeria. Between 1970 and 1980 he was a Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate, and a Circuit Judge between 1980 and 1997. He has lectured widely both in the UK and on the Continent, and is the author of a number of practitioner books. Peter Morrish was called to the Bar in 1962. His background includes service in the Northern Rhodesia Police, where he acted as a Public Prosecutor, and in the Royal Air Force, where he gained extensive experience of courts-martial. In addition to an extensive criminal practice, he has held administrative posts in the Metropolitan Magistrates' Court Service, in the old Quarter Sessions courts (County of London, Lancashire, and Middlesex), the Central Criminal Court, and in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). He has lectured in the UK and in the US and is the author of a number of practitioner books. John Greenhill was called to the Bar in 1972. He served in the Metropolitan Magistrates' Courts, rising to Senior Chief Clerk, and Training Officer for the Metropolitan Area. He is currently based at Straford East Magistrates' Court. He holds an MSc in Criminology from the University of Leicester. Andrew Mimmack has been a Council Member of the Justices' Clerks' Society since 1996, and currently holds the office of Junior Vice President. He is Editor of The Magistrates' Courts Practice and also delivers training courses for a range of practitioners including lawyers in England and France, Guardians ad litem, Approved Social Workers, Local Authority Registration and Inspection Officers, and others.