Lay magistrates are volunteers from the general public who preside over minor criminal cases in magistrates' courts. They do not require legal qualifications or knowledge of the justice system. Three magistrates sit on each case, with the one in the middle called the Bench Chairman being the only one who can speak in open court. Lay magistrates handle a variety of minor cases like motoring offenses, minor assaults, theft, and some murder cases which are then passed to crown courts. Individuals between ages 18-70 with good hearing and character can apply to become lay magistrates, and training is provided.