A questionnaire was sent to all justices' clerks, and the resulting sample of 444 juvenile panels represents an 87-percent response rate from clerks repesenting 77 percent of all petty sessional divisions. The data collected confirmed the suspected wide variation in practice relating to school reports, with a bias toward their not being shown to parents and defendants. No geographic or demographic explanation for the variety of practice emerged; however the comments of justices' clerks suggest that in many courts it is their influence together with that of headteachers and juvenile panel members which effectively determines practice. The data also reveals a disturbing incidence of disregard for the rules laid down in the Magistrates Courts (Children and Young Persons) Rules 1970. One table and 17 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)