Lay magistrates Powerpoint

1. Harpreet Kaur

2. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO JOIN THE
MAGISTRATES?
• “Characteristics” mean means good communication skills and having the ability to understand all work
colleagues and all cases within the magistrates.
• “Social awareness” which basically means maintain professional and being able to understand all social
backgrounds and be able to understand what is expected from yourself as a magistrates.
• “Sound temperament” is when you will need to be able to have a firm and disciplined tone at all times
and not become emotionally attached to information as this will then cause problems within the case
itself.
• “Understanding of documents” which implies what is says which means you will need to have the skill of
understanding all paper work and evidence that is presented to you within the role. And always ensuring
that information if kept confidential.
• You will need to be able to serve your community and the magistrates for at least 26 half – day sittings in a
year.

3. WHO CAN SIT AND TAKE UP THE
ROLE OF MAGISTRATES?
Who can sit up the role Who cannot sit up the role
Anyone from the ages of 18 up until
the age of 70
If you have been found guilty for more
than one minor offence
Anybody with the basic skills that are
need to be a magistrate for example,
communication skills, sound
temperament, social awareness.
Been banned from driving from the
past 5-10 years
People that can do 26 half –day sittings
a year
Being declared bankrupt
http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/judges-career-paths/becoming-a-magistrate/, ben.hughes(2014)

4. HOW TO APPLY WITHIN A
MAGISTRATE?
Visit your local court a
few times and see if this
role is for you
You need to apply to the advisory
committee for your local court.
If you have any
queries or question
contact the local
judiciary.
Download the
application form and the
guideline.
Check to see if there are
any vacancies within your
area.
Then email or post this to
the advisory committee
in your local area.
Contact your local advisory
committee for information
on recruitment in your area.
https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/apply-to-be-a-magistrate

5. ROLES OF BEING A JUDGE OR
MAGISTRATE
• Hears submissions from both the prosecution and the defence
• Understands and takes into account the facts about the case
• Follows the law, giving the correct punishment by following all legislation and
procedures.
• Provides appropriate reasons for sentences decided and a record of all
sentencing’s should be kept.
• When making certain sentencing orders (for example, probation or a community
service order), this be explained to the offender and make sure that the offender
consents to the order and agrees to comply with the decision made.
http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/courts-and-tribunals/going-to-court/sentencing/the-sentencing-process/
the-role-of-the-judge-or-magistrate

6. WHAT TRAINING DOES THE
MAGISTRATE PROVIDE TO YOU?
Initial training - Before you sit in a court a new magistrate will undertake ‘introductory training’. After this has ben
done you will then sit in a court with two experienced and educated magistrates.
Mentoring – Every new person that joins the magistrate will be given a specially trained magistrate to mentor
them for the first few months that they are there.
Core Training – Every magistrate is given a core training handbook but this is up to them individually if they
decide they would want to look through and read this.
Consolidation training – When at the end of the first year consolidation training consist on learning from the
sittings and the core training provided this then helps the magistrates to plan their ongoing development and
be able to prepare for their first appraisal.
First appraisal - About 12-18 months after appointment, when both mentor and magistrate agree your are ready
the new justice is appraised. Another specially trained magistrate will then sit a part of the bench and observe
your basic skills.
http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/about-magistrates/training/

7. DO YOU THINK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE
WOULD BE ABLE APPLY FOR THE ROLE?
Applicants Yes/No Why do you think this?
George is aged 23 and
would like to apply within
London
Ben has been banned from
driving in the past 6 years
Charlotte has applied to
work within the Birmingham
area but is not punctual
Jerry who has recently been
convicted of more than one
minor offence
Naeem who has an hearing
impairement
Lotty who has a disability

8. SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS AND
STATISTICS OF MAGISTRATES
Mainly white men There are 21 female judges in the
High Court out of a total of 108.
(The latest female appointment
was Mrs Justice McGowan on 1
October 2014)
Nearly one in 10 of all courts
and tribunals officeholders
(9.4%) is from an ethnic
minority background.
There are more women sitting as
magistrates than men – over 52% out of
a total of 21,626. And just under 9% of all
magistrates are from an ethnic minority
The percentage of
women sitting in courts
and tribunals (excluding
magistrates and non-legal
members) has increased
from 30% to 32%.
http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the-judiciary/diversity/judicial-diversity-2013-what-do-the-latest-
figures-show/

9. http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/judges-career-paths/becoming-a-magistrate/
(Date assessed 09/11/14)
ben.hughes(2014)
https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate/apply-to-be-a-magistrate (Date assessed
09/11/14)
http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/courts-and-tribunals/going-to-court/
sentencing/the-sentencing-process/the-role-of-the-judge-or-magistrate (Date
assessed 10/11/14)
http://www.magistrates-association.org.uk/about-magistrates/training/ (Date assessed
10/11/14)
http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the-judiciary/diversity/judicial-diversity-
2013-what-do-the-latest-figures-show/ (Date assessed 10/11/14)