This article, by Marilyn Warren, depicts the need for court independence.  

Using interviews, surveys and observation studies, this article analyses the types of cases, location of work, important judicial and non-judicial functions and sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with magistrates’ work....

The Status of Magistrates Report outlines rights and responsibilities.  

This research project addresses three main research questions: Who are the magistrates? What is the everyday work of the court? What is the relationship between magistrates’ courts and social services?