Behind the bench, a room is available for the magistrates to retire to discuss and decide cases in private. The Clerk to the Court is a professionally qualified legal adviser. The clerk sits in front of the bench and effectively manages the trial process. The magistrates can call on the clerk to advise them on points of law or on the range of penalties or options open to them. The Clerk may not take part in decisions relating to the judgement of a case.
Lawyers sit at desks in front of the clerk and facing the bench.
On one side is the prosecuting solicitor, normally a Crown Prosecution Service lawyer. Alongside the prosecution is the defence solicitor, representing the accused person who is known as the defendant. The defendant is brought into the court and stands in the dock. If the defendant is in custody then a security officer will accompany the defendant. Witnesses are called in to the court when they are required to give evidence.