Magistrates, also known as justices of the peace, are volunteer judicial officers who serve in magistrates' courts in England and Wales. Magistrates do not require legal training but must demonstrate qualities like good character and sound judgement. They handle less serious criminal cases like minor theft, public disorder, and traffic offenses. Magistrates serve to contribute fair and reasonable decisions to their local communities.

1. Become a
Magistrate
IT’S YOUR COMMUNITY

2. Who are the Magistrates?
 Magistrates (also known as justices of the peace) are 21,500
volunteer judicial office holders who serve in magistrates’ courts
throughout England and Wales.
 Magistrates can be appointed from the age of 18 and retire at 70.
Magistrates do not require legal training or qualifications.
Candidates must demonstrate six ‘key qualities’ – Good Character;
Commitment and Reliability; Social Awareness; Sound Judgement;
Understanding and Communication; Maturity and Sound
Temperament. Once appointed, magistrates undertake mandatory
training and are always supported in court by a trained legal
advisor to guide them on points of law and procedure.

3. What do they do?
 All magistrates begin their magisterial career in the adult court
where they deal with crimes which, while not necessarily very serious
in nature, can have the most widespread impact on communities;
for example, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related incidents.
Magistrates’ courts are also the first stage in dealing with more
serious crimes such as rape and murder, which are then referred on
to the Crown Court.

4. Why become a Magistrate and
what kind of crimes will I hear?
 Magistrates come from a wide range of backgrounds and occupations – from bus
drivers to architects, pilots to mechanics, nursery nurses to retired people,
unemployed to teachers. They are ordinary men and women with common sense
and personal integrity. They are able to listen to all sides of an argument and can
contribute to fair and reasonable decisions. You do not have to have any legal
qualification.
 Magistrates sit as one of a bench of three magistrates, including one who sits in the
centre who has been trained to take the chair and deal with less serious criminal
cases such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder and motoring offences.
 Crimes can be divided into three categories:
 Very Serious (called indictable offences eg murder, rape, manslaughter) which can
only be dealt with in a Crown Court before a judge and jury
 Serious (either way offences eg theft, fraud) when the defendant may be dealt with
either by magistrates or in a Crown Court
 Less serious (called summary offences eg traffic, excess alcohol) are only dealt with
by magistrates

5. What other people are in the
Magistrates Court?
 The Court Clerk Legal Adviser - ensure that the magistrates have all the
information they need to do their job. He/she identifies the defendant, reads the
charges and at the end of the trial summarises the relevant law for the
magistrates.
 The Usher- makes sure that order is maintained in the court and that the
proceedings run smoothly.
 The Court Reporter- may work for local or national press, usually newspapers but
also for radio and television stations. They attend court and report on the cases.
 The Solicitor- a member of the public may approach him/her for advice and
assistance in matters referred to the courts. Often solicitors will be able to handle
cases in front of the Magistrate.
 The Barrister- a solicitor may refer a case to a barrister if the matter is too serious
for the solicitor to handle, a barrister will handle the case. Barristers, unlike
solicitors, may represent clients in any of the countries' courts.
 Probation Staff – advise magistrates about offenders when magistrates are
deciding a sentence.

6. A typical Magistrates Court

7. Be the Judge……..Have a go
http://www.ybtj.justice.gov.uk/ Interesting?.......apply here
https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/
apply-to-be-a-magistrate

8. SO………………
“
”
I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady
Queen Elizabeth the Second, in the office of
Justice of the Peace and I will do right to all
manner of people after the laws and usages
of the realm without fear or favour, affection
or ill-will.
……………can you take the Oath?........It’s YOUR
community.