"In Canada and the US ( I do not know about JAA or CAA rules) the applicable AIMs make it clear that circuit altitude is 1000 above airport elevation unless otherwise noted.
Others pilots I know think 1500 for jets but no one can document it. Flight Safety apparently teach 1500 for jets, but again no documentation except their own manuals."
Bruce, haven't really been following this thread, but does this address the 1500 ft?
Far 91.126 (e) Minimum altitudes when operating to an airport in Class D airspace. (1) Unless required by the applicable distance-from-cloud criteria, each pilot operating a large or turbine-powered airplane must enter the traffic pattern at an altitude of at least 1,500 feet above the elevation of the airport and maintain at least 1,500 feet until further descent is required for a safe landing.
Applies to class C and B too, if I read it correctly.