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6. details of evidence in support of the application as agreed with the applicant agency’s
solicitor; and
7. a warning to the defendant that it is an offence to pervert the course of justice, and that
witness intimidation is liable to lead to prosecution.
Wherever possible, the lead officer in charge will ensure that service of the summons is made
on the defendant in person. If personal service is not possible, the summons should be served
by post as soon as possible to the last known address.
Where a child or a young person is concerned, a person with parental responsibility must also
receive a copy of the summons. This could be a local authority social worker in the case of a
looked-after child as well as, or instead of, the parent. (’Parent’ has the same meaning as
under section 1 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987, and ‘guardian’ is defined in section 107
of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.)
The summons forms are set out within the Magistrates’ Courts (Anti-Social Behaviour
Orders) Rules 2002. See Appendix D.
County court
The process for the county court is set out in the Practice Direction of the updated Civil
Procedure Rules at 65.21 -65.26.
Disclosure
Before evidence is disclosed, the applicant should consult the police and other agencies to
ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken to support witnesses and minimise any
potential for witness intimidation. Evidence should not be disclosed without the express
permission of the witness. However, evidence that is not disclosed cannot be relied on.
The applicant should seek to maintain witness anonymity and ensure that it does not identify
them by default (for example through details of location, race, personal characteristics or
age).
Court procedures
It is important that those hearing the case are fully briefed on the purpose of an order. There
should be no confusion as to the purpose of the order, which is to protect the community.
Where the case concerns a child, the welfare of the child is, of course, to be considered, and
indeed the making of the order should contribute to this by setting standards of expected
behaviour. But the welfare of the child is not the principal purpose of the order hearing.
Whether or not the subject of the application is present, the court should be asked to make the
order. Adjournments should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Magistrates’ court (acting in its civil capacity)
An application for an order in the magistrates’ court is made by complaint. This means that
the court will act in its civil capacity. The provisions governing civil applications for
110
160,
Simon Cordell’s Skeleton Argument (2) Pdf
Applying to the courts
orders in magistrates’ courts are set out in the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.
The application, under section 1(3) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, should be made to
the magistrates’ court whose area includes the local government area or police area where
people need to be protected from the anti-social behaviour.
The lead officer in charge of the case should ensure that all the evidence and witnesses are
available at the hearing, including evidence in support of any need for the court to make an
immediate order.
Under section 98 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, evidence will be given on oath. Any
magistrate or judge may hear the case.

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