How a Magistrates' court works

The government has revealed that 93 magistrates' courts are to be closed in England and Wales.

Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly also said the government would shut 49 county courts, as part of its deficit-reduction programme.

But how do magistrates courts actually work?

The BBC News website was given rare access to Magistrates' court at Highbury Corner, north London - which has escaped the closures. Magistrate Valerie Murray-Chandra explains how the system works.

  • UK