The document discusses the role and procedures of Magistrate's Court in the UK legal system. It provides information on becoming a lay magistrate, including the required age range of 18-70 years old, working 26 half days per year, and possessing qualities like good character, communication skills, and sound judgement. Lay magistrates sit in panels of three and can receive legal advice during hearings. The document also examines the advantages and disadvantages of using lay magistrates and how the system could be improved, such as providing more training.

1. Magistrate’s Court
How well is it suited to its role?

2. What you already know:
 Deals with less serious crimes.
 Below Crown Court in hierarchy.
 Limited sanctions:
 6 months imprisonment twice or
 £15,000 fine.

3. By the end of this lesson, you
will be able to:
 Describe the procedure for becoming a
Lay Magistrate.
 Propose and reflect on the advantages
and disadvantages of law Magistrates
 Assess by a GSCE exam question
whether the legal system should use lay
magistrates.

4. What qualities the Lord
Chancellor thinks magistrates
should possess
 Good character.
 Understanding and communication.
 Social awareness.
 Maturity and sound temperament.
 Sound judgement.
 Commitment and reliability.

5. Bingo!
Choose 8 phases from below and put
them in your table.
•Adult Court
•Family Court
•Usher
•Legal Advisor
•Public Gallery
•Media
•Prosecution
•Defence
•Defendant
•Dock
•Lay Magistrate
•Qualified Magistrate
•12 months prison
•Community Service Order
•Curfew
•18-70
•panel of 3
•Justice of the Peace
•District Judge
•Youth Court

6. Questions
•This is the minimum and maximum age for a Magistrate
•This is the name given for a Magistrate who can sit alone
•This type of sentence requires you to be in your house at a certain time
•This person explain the law to the Magistrates
•You must be 14 to enter this
•This is the name given to unqualified Magistrates
•This is another name for lay Magistrate
•This is another name for qualified Magistrate
•Lay Magistrates must sit in this
•This is the maximum amount of prison time the Magistrates can give
•This is a group of people who report on court hearings
•This is a type of court for people aged 10-17
•This is the name given to the person who is accused
•This is the place the defendant will sit in court
•You must 18 or over to appear ion this court
•This court will sit in private with no public or media
•This is the person who represents the defendant
•This is a type of sentence which makes you complete unpaid work
•This person will represent the state
•This person looks after the witnesses and declares the oath

7. Task 1
 Complete the missing blanks

8. Wanted
Lay Magistrates to work at local court.
You will be required to work for…..half days per year.
You will need to be aged between ……... and ………
You do not need any formal qualifications but you should possess the 6
qualities the Lord Chancellor states you should have.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
If you are interested you will receive at least ……… days training and if
you want to you can apply to specialise in the youth and family court with
extra training.
Finally, you will be ……………… and will only be allowed to claim for
………………
If you are successful you will sit in a panel of ……… and can ask the
………………………… for help. Apply in writing to Miss Jennison, A6.

9. Wanted
Lay Magistrates to work at local court.
You will be required to work for 26 half days per year.
You will need to be aged between 18 and 70
You do not need any formal qualifications but you should possess the 6
qualities the Lord Chancellor states you should have.
1. Good character.
2. Understanding and communication.
3. Social awareness.
4. Maturity and sound temperament
5. Sound judgement.
6. Commitment and reliability.
If you are interested you will receive at least 3 days training and if you
want to you can apply to specialise in the youth and family court with
extra training.
Finally, you will be unpaid and will only be allowed to claim for expenses
If you are successful you will sit in a panel of 3 and can ask the Legal
Advisor for help. Apply in writing to Miss Jennison, A6.

10. Task 2. The right candidate!
 In Pairs you are to read the profile of
these 6 people
 You must then rank in order who you
would employ as a magistrates
 You must give at least 3 reasons for your
decision.

11. Advantages Disadvantages

12. Consider how well lay magistrates fulfil their role in the
Magistrates Court. Suggest ways in which improvement can
be made to the current system. 20 Marks.
 Grade A answer
 Explains and
compares 4
advantages and
disadvantages
 Delivers a conclusion
which refers to the
essay
 Suggests 3 way to
improve
 Grade C answer
 Explains 2
advantages and
disadvantages
 Delivers a
conclusion
 Suggests 1 way to
improve

13. By the end of this lesson, can
you…?
 Describe how a lay magistrate is
appointed?
 Suggest who would make a good lay
magistrate and why?
 Explain whether lay magistrates fulfil
their role effectively?