Justices Act 1886

A magistrate constituting a Magistrates Court shall have power to do alone whatever might be done by 2 or more justices constituting a Magistrates Court, and shall have power to do alone any act which by any Act may or shall be done by 2 or more justices.

Unless otherwise expressly provided, when a magistrate is present at a place appointed for holding Magistrates Courts and is available to constitute any such court to be held at that place the court shall be constituted by the magistrate alone.

Nothing in subsection (2) shall be construed to abridge or prejudice the ministerial power of justices in taking an examination of witnesses in relation to an indictable offence, or the powers of justices to receive a complaint or to issue, grant or endorse a summons or warrant, to grant bail or to adjourn a hearing of a complaint of a simple offence or breach of duty.