A District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) is by virtue of his office a justice of the peace for England and Wales.

It is the duty of a District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) to act as a justice of the peace in any local justice area in accordance with arrangements made by F1the Lord Chief Justice, after consulting the Lord Chancellor .

The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (2).