This document discusses the role of lay magistrates in the legal system. Lay magistrates are ordinary citizens who are not legally trained but receive training to serve as judges. They have the advantage of living in the local community and understanding issues in the area better than other judges. Lay magistrates also receive support from legal advisors who help guide them through legal procedures. Becoming a lay magistrate provides an accessible path for those interested in law as an alternative to expensive legal training. The selection process for lay magistrates aims to have equal gender representation.

1. Lay Magistrates
HASHMA KHAN

2. Introduction
 In this PowerPoint will encourage general public to
consider taking up the position of being a Lay
Magistrate. This PowerPoint will include text, images and
links to further resources.

3.  This link will identify exactly who sits in the courts and
what their roles are whilst cases are going on;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeNDacwO5NA

4. Lay Magistrates
Legal Advisor
Usher
Prosecuting
Solicitor
Defence Solicitor
Defendant

5.  Lay Magistrates have the ability to understand the situation better than other judges in
different professions, due to the fact that the Lay Magistrates will usually be individuals
who actually live within the community, as well as the fact that they are all different, and
not the usual judges that you would come across when in court.
 For example they may be a young woman. This has also been statistically proven as they
are over 40% of women that work as a Lay Magistrate, compared to any other profession
which relate to judges.
 This factor appeals to people, due to the fact that there are more chances for people to
get into this area within the legal system, also due to the fact that there are not specific
people that they are looking for.

6.  Also due to the fact that Lay Magistrates live close to the area, which they
work within they have more knowledge of what has been occurring within
the area, and already know the basic background, and any problems
within the area.
 This is beneficial for Lay Magistrates, because they do not have to travel
far, as well as the fact they will be able to make their community better,
because they will be able to deal with the problem specifically.

7.  Lay Magistrates also have support from legal advisor, who will help them
clarify, as well as giving them advice, and make sure that they follow the
fight procedure.
 This is beneficial for individuals due to the fact that even if they do not fully
understand the law, there will be someone who will be able to provide you
with an understanding and guide you, so you have full support, and
knowledge.

8.  The Lay Magistrates that have been selected may not be legally trained.
However they do go through training.
 This is beneficial for people who are want to do something which relates to
law. Due to the fact that it is expensive to have a career within the legal
departments. This is easier for people because if they can’t afford to study
law, then they can go into a career like this, and they will be trained and
provided with support from legal advisor, as shown in the previous slide.

9.  Also the people that are employed to be Lay Magistrates are equally split
in gender as ‘about forty nine percent of Magistrates are women (Home
Office 2003 figures) whereas judges average only about ten percent.’
http://www.bitsoflaw.org/legal-system/criminal-courts/model-answer/a-level/
lay-magistrates-advantages
 This is beneficial for individuals due to the fact that they will not
discriminate people on their gender.

10. Conclusion
 This PowerPoint will have outlined the role of Lay
Magistrates, and what is appealing about lay
magistrates, as well as developing a further
understanding by text, images and links.