Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northamptonshire Courts Board
The Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northamptonshire Courts Board works in partnership with Her Majesty’s Courts Service to achieve effective and efficient administration of the Crown, county and magistrates’ courts within the Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northamptonshire Area. The Courts Board does not manage or administer the courts, its role as a non-executive body is to give advice and make constructive recommendations to foster improvement in the administrative services provided. The Courts Board does not have the remit to challenge or discuss judicial decisions.
The Courts Board uses its independent judgment to ensure that the perspectives of the local community and court users are taken into account. The focus of their work is to consider administrative issues affecting courts that have an impact in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northamptonshire. The Courts Board welcomes and encourages input and comments from all members of the public on these administrative issues. All comments will be considered and will be used to inform members of the public view.
Members of the Board are drawn from a cross section of the community, court users and judiciary. We hold no executive powers and work as a “critical friend” to the Area Director responsible for the delivery of the court services in the above counties. In doing so we use our specific individual and collective general knowledge of the Courts Service and communities in the area. Our aim is to ensure courts services are delivered in an efficient and effective manner and meet the needs of the community.
One way we can do this is by hearing the views of our court users and stakeholders. We therefore welcome feedback and correspondence. We aim to hold a least one public meeting each year our area and will publicise details of this when the dates and venues are known.
Board Members
The Board is made up of seven people from different parts of the community and the judiciary. The Courts Act 2003 (include link to first HMCS courts board page) states that each board must have:
- at least one judge
- at least two magistrates from within the Courts Boards area
- at least two people with knowledge or experience of the courts in the local area
- at least two people who are representative of the people living in the Courts Boards area.
Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northamptonshire Courts Board members
| Eric Montgomerie | (Magistrate representative) |
| Robert Parker | (Community representative) |
| Bill Hibbard | (Knowledge and experience of the court) |
| Derek Bacon | (Board Chair) |
| Lesley Emery | (Knowledge and experience of the court) |
| Stephen Beard | (Magistrate representative) |
| HH Judge Wide | (The Judicial representative) |
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In 1973 after service in the Royal Air Force, Eric joined Avon Cosmetics and during the following 27 years was employed in a number of Senior Management roles located in a variety of global locations. Eric retired from Avon in 2000 and now runs his own Training and Communications consultancy. Eric has also been a Justice of the Peace since 1989 and is currently a Member of the Northamptonshire Probation Board and a member of the county’s Lord Chancellors Advisory Committee. Eric is also a Hospital Manager with the local Mental Health Trust, conducting reviews and hearing appeals under the Mental Health Capability Act.
Eric Montgomerie
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Robert Parker has represented Lincoln West Division on Lincolnshire County Council since 1989. Robert also teaches politics at the Open University and at Lincoln University. A former Chair of Lincolnshire Courts Board, Rob is also a member of the East Midlands Regional Assembly and Local Government East Midlands.
Robert Parker
- Bill Hibbard retired from the Lincolnshire Police in 2000 after serving for thirty years. Since then Bill has worked for Probation, the Lincolnshire Drug Treatment Services and for the Witness Service at Lincoln Crown Court.
Bill Hibbard
- Derek Bacon retired from the Royal Air Force in 2004 after 35 years service. In addition to the Courts Board Derek is a member of the West Oxfordshire District Council Allowance Panel, which recommends the allowance that the Council sets for the Councillors. During his time in the Royal Air Force Derek has lived in various places in the UK and overseas, although he originates from the Gainsborough area. Derek's primary fields of expertise in the Royal Air Force were Human Resources, Budgets, Business Planning, Cooperate Communications, Estates Management, Change Management and Training.
Derek Bacon
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Lesley currently practices as a child care solicitor in Leicester and sits part time as a Tribunal chair. Lesley is the senior partner in emeryjohnson Solicitors, a high street practice established 12 years ago by Lesley and Helen Johnson which specializes in family and criminal law. As a representative of the most vulnerable members of society including children Lesley believes that the courts service has a vital role to play in ensuring they are able to feel confident that their needs are considered.
Lesley Emery
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Stephen Beard and was appointed as a magistrate in 1991. Stephen is currently Deputy Chair of the Lincoln Bench, Chair of the North West Lincolnshire Advisory Sub Committee and a Member of the Lincolnshire Advisory Committee. Stephen is employed by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust as a Senior Manager for estates and properties across the county.
Stephen Beard