Become a Magistrate

To become a magistrate, you must have integrity and common sense, a good understanding of human behaviour, maturity, sound judgement, knowledge of your local community and the ability to listen to all sides of an argument and contribute to important decisions.

No knowledge of the law is necessary, normal qualifications are not required, and you are not restricted by your class, geographical location, political affiliation or occupation. The Government is keen to draw people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities so that the bench will reflect the community it serves. But you do have to be aged between 27 and 65.

If you are chosen to be a magistrate – also known as a justice of the peace (JP) – you will undergo compulsory training (mostly outside working hours) which includes talks, discussions, practical exercises, observing in court and visits to prisons.

About 95% of criminal cases are heard in magistrates’ courts, where JPs are expected to consider evidence, decide if a case should be adjourned and whether or not to grant bail, reach a verdict and, if the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, deliver an appropriate sentence. Some magistrates sit in Family Proceedings Courts, where they deal with a range of issues affecting families and children, and on special committees dealing with licensing of pubs, betting shops and gaming clubs.

You will be required to sit for a minimum of 26 half-days every year, but will be expected to sit for at least 35 (and be prepared to sit for full days if proceedings require it). You will normally sit with two other magistrates and a clerk of the court, who is there to advise you on points of law.

You won’t be paid – being a magistrate is voluntary – but you may claim travel and subsistence expenses, and loss of earnings if your employer will not allow you paid time off (though most firms do allow it).

To apply to be a magistrate for your community, you must have lived in the area for at least 12 months. For an application form, get in touch with your local Advisory Committee. The details should be in your phone book, or you can visit a magistrates’ court and find the office of the Clerk to the Justices, who will give you the details. Alternatively, you can get the information by going to the Secretary of Commissions Office website in London (http://www.dca.gov.uk).

It is unlikely that you will be automatically disqualified. You will only not be considered if you are a full-time member of HM forces or if you have ever been found guilty of a serious criminal offence or a number of minor offences, or if you are an undeclared bankrupt. And you will need special consideration if you work for the courts or a related organisation - police, probation service, prison service – or if you have a relationship with someone in such a job.