There are certain advantages and disadvantages to using lay magistrates. This provides a more balanced view of the situation and should make things fairer for the defendant. Benefits of being a judicial magistrate:- 1- Judges are impartial decision makers in the pursuit of justice. Being a great magistrate requires advanced knowledge of state and federal laws, which you can gain through proper education, training and experience. The individual appointed as a Supreme Court Judge will remain in office until he reaches the age of 65. SMW1494H06. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. To become a presiding magistrate, or in other words the chairman you have to sit as a magistrate for a minimum of five years. Let us discuss whether becoming a judge will be a fruitful career for you or not. Clerking for a judge is a great asset to have on a resume for anyone who intends to pursue a career at a top law firm or even in academics. Even though youre the chairman it doesnt necessarily mean that you have the final say as your wingers may disagree with your decision. (LogOut/ What transferable skills will a magistrate bring to an organisation? Given his infectious and seemingly perpetual cheerfulness, it is hard to imagine him pouring over legal tomes and delivering stony-faced verdicts. Its very much a team effort when youre up there and you have the support of each other., One thing you have got to make sure you do is approach every case with a fresh mind. * Magistrates are volunteers appointed by the Lord Chancellor. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. Many magistrates, particularly those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers. Agnes Xavier-Phillips was a corporate lawyer who started her career in nursing, Ms Xavier-Phillips says magistrates have got to be representative "in more than one sense", Three magistrates sit on the bench during court cases, You still have to look through each offence, and we have to think 'how can we help them', rather than putting them through some sausage machine, Magistrates are supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor. He was also national chairman for England and Wales for three years. You may be wondering what exactly a judicial clerkship is and whether it would be a good position for you. "We are really there as adjudicators, to look at both sides of the argument," he said. 4) Having no autonomy or influence over resources. The exam will promote the right talent from lower levels to higher levels. This was particularly heartfelt in the Welsh focus group, what you have is a civil service approach, imposed from Englandin an office in London looking at a map saying why on Earth are there loads of courts next to each other? No understanding whatsoever of the topographic, the tribal differences between those valleys and communities or the difficulty in getting from one of those areas to the next because they are valleys areas. Nor will you have the opportunity to sign your own name to anything that you prepare. It gives the power to erode the evils existing in society. The application process for federal clerkships is handled through a website called OSCAR. "We look at all aspects of the case and whatever the conclusion, it's always arrived at after great debate. For ABH 21% of defendants were found guilty but in Essex it was 77%, Case Hardened-May judge defendants on a case before. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. I had enough money not to work anymore but I still wanted to give something back to the community and I had always had an interest in the law. * Magistrates receive up to two years on-the-job training, which is topped up throughout their service. Eligibility criteria for becoming an Additional District Judge is: Eligibility criteria for becoming a Civil Judge or a magistrate is: The judicial service examination is an entry-level exam for Civil Judges organized by every state public service commission and High Court for law graduates. 806 8067 22 Clerking provides a great opportunity to observe other lawyers in the courtroom setting and gain a lot of exposure to what does (and does not) work well from the perspective of the judge. They are an integral part of the justice system and as such need to be nurtured and supported. Its little wins like that which make it really rewarding.". There is a cap on the first 60 applications received. A graduate can become a judge by giving the Civil Judge exam conducted by the Public Service Commission. It saddens me that applications are dwindling and as many approach the retirement age of 70 this could further deplete the numbers. But because of the time commitment involved and the fact that the role is filled by unpaid volunteers, the majority of magistrates are middle-class retired professionals. "Sometimes it's inevitable they go back into remand, but it's always very much based on the individual. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. David Milner Scudder first sat as a magistrate in Peterborough. Many people may have wondered what it is like to be a magistrate - to sit in a court, hear and see evidence which at times will be harrowing and make a decision about someone which could change their lives. Its the little wins that really make it worth it, says Kevin Moody. Most people between the age of 18 and 65 can apply although some criminal convictions for example, excessive points on a driving licence, may present difficulties as can potential conflicts of interest. Magistrates felt that if they were using their leisure or work time, they did not want to waste that time, or sit too often on dull cases. To read 1 law content daily, message LAW on WhatsApp: 9128523662. Clerkships often attract the top students from law school; these are the same students who are generally in a position to accept jobs at the top law firms that pay really well. And I think that value has certainly been eroded. State court judges and justices also hire law clerks. Deciding whether a prison sentence or a Community Order is most appropriate can be the catalyst for someone turning their life around. it is no longer local justice, its something rather more brutal than that. The manager threatened the magistrate with a disciplinary process. Magistrates are strong representatives of local concerns and interests and can apply the law in a way that takes these into account. Magistrate Roger Sanders. "We need to dispel this myth that it's only for retired people.". Employers are obliged by law to allow time off work for magistrates to perform their duties (see below), but it is at their discretion whether this is paid or unpaid leave. After leaving the police force I went into retail for around 10 years. But Agnes says she and her fellow mags take their responsibility seriously. And once you move justice from the local area I think it loses something, in the eyes of the people in those local areas. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carmine Proofreading with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. I put to her the point made by criminal solicitor Katy Hanson, that while there are flaws in the system, it's preferable to digitally entering a crime and plea and waiting for a computer to decide your fate. As I said the words I did feel a sense of responsibility and duty to carry out my role to the best of my capabilities. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. You also have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of the defendants personally. Judge is a very reputed position in the Indian judiciary. You will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts of lawyering as a law clerk! There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. The work of magistrates goes largely unknown - so here is a rundown of what they do. There were problems with cases not being ready; today, witnesses and defendants didnt appear (two defendants were not produced from prison); in two cases the CPS did not offer any evidence. In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. Still, on the other hand, this profession requires a lot of hard work and dedication, from preparing for the judicial examination to becoming a judge. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. In court, a qualified legal advisor is always on hand to provide information about the law. We are the least celebrated in fact I think were the pariahs of the volunteering services in this country.. The catch salary. 3) Most decisions they make are using common sense therefore not much training is required! I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. It shall also address the key issue of social inclusion by enabling suitable representation to marginalised and deprived sections of society. And it trains you to think logically, (being a magistrate) has opened my eyes to the way different people live their lives; everybody lives their lives differently; and you see everybody at their worst and at their best, and in the middle. One magistrate told the manager that he did not want to sit with a colleague, because they had fallen out. Theres been a turn-over of staff. I think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldnt have. A woman described a day in court, which she had taken off work : today I sat at X and spent most of the time doing nothing, because of the administration of the courts. Mental pressure or stress will be quite often due to different reasons. In addition, magistrates are a relatively cheap option for the legal system compared to judges. I always wanted to know more about how the Bench arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved. "For me it's a way of doing something that actually benefits people, it's a way of giving back to the community. Magistrates are required to sit a minimum of 26 half days (13 full days) a year. Agnes first moved to Wales in 1986 and describes herself as a "British Malaysian Indian". Legal guidelines state magistrates should be from a range of backgrounds, reflecting the community they serve in terms of race, gender, occupation, political affiliation and where they live. For me its a way of doing something that actually benefits people, its a way of giving back to the community. With two successful careers behind her - firstly as a nurse, then as a corporate lawyer based in London - she wanted "to reconnect with Wales". There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. N.C. Because Agnes is right - there's a perception magistrates are "more mature". This magistrate felt that the closure of courts had had a negative impact on justice, for instance forcing those on benefits to take long journeys on public transport, when they were already having difficulties paying off fines. But Agnes argues it benefits everyone.. Some offences, like theft and fraud, are considered either/or' offences and can be dealt with by magistrates or a judge, depending on their seriousness. The Supreme Court of India comprises one Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges. As a magistrate I feel like Im giving something back and helping put people on the right path.. On the bench in court there will be three magistrates, with one presiding magistrate who sits in the middle. No formal qualifications are required but potential magistrates must go through a selection process, which includes rigorous screening. "Even if they're repeated offences, you still have to look through each offence, and we have to think 'how can we help them', rather than putting them through some sausage machine. Subscribe to Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice, 43 Lawford Road, London NW5 2LG. It gives the young generation a wide range of opportunities to get involved in this system and contribute to the best possible service to the country. Completed applications should be sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam@justice.gov.uk . Candidates called for interviews are three times the number of vacancies available. Magistrates don't reflect the social makeup of Britain. A power that can protect people. "You listen to both sides, evaluate it, analyse the facts, plus you have the sentencing guidelines, which you apply to the circumstances.". There are many advantages of magistrates and being able to discuss these in your work can help you with essay questions. Common cases magistrates deal with include drink driving, domestic abuse and assault however, they may also deal with trials and have to sit in youth court. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. In this post, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the pros and cons of taking such a position! We will also look more closely at the magistrates themselves and consider the benefits they bring. The primary difference between a judicial magistrate and an executive magistrate is that a judicial magistrate can handle all the cases and grant punishment for up to 3 years. I was surrounded by approximately 50 other newly-appointed magistrates who each took the oath in turn. Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! Before we start thinking about the advantages of magistrates, we will first consider what they are and how the magistrates courts work. This quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales. Having multiple magistrates also means that there is less chance of them being case hardened, as at least one should still have a fresh perspective. In conclusion there are many advantages and disadvantages of both magistrates and juries, which are that there is public confidence, fair results without being bias and juries represent the public as a whole, this means that they are a fundamental part of a democratic society. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. As of April this year there were 1,059 magistrates in Wales. A group of magistrates listening to a case are collectively known as the bench'. "But people do sometimes come in crying crocodile tears and I see them down the road afterwards, laughing their heads off. He hasn't been to journalism school, as evident by his refusal to end articles with 'ENDS' or 'EOM'. R v Birmingham Magistrates ex parte Ahmed. "So they don't keep reoffending.". And when you have that eye-opener, it makes you sometimes a better person, sitting with different people with different ways of thinking it helps you develop as a person. "Defendants are supposed to be judged by their peers but how can that work when you're in your 60s and there's a 25-year-old in the dock?". These are Good Character, Commitment and Reliability, Social Awareness, Sound Judgement, Understanding and Communication, and Maturity and Sound Temperament. The process is extremely formal, with specific start and end dates for the application process that are uniform for all judges. Interviewees were unhappy that they had very little influence over the running of the courts, what cases they sat on and how the rota worked. Once a magistrate has been accepted, they will undergo training to make sure they are ready for the role. Again, these will initially be heard by a bench before a decision is made. The length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor. Follow these steps to become a successful magistrate: 1. More available than judges as no training is required. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Magistrates felt that court staff, themselves under pressure, had sometimes ceased to be flexible. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit in criminal, family and youth courts. A judge may require a law clerk to have passed the bar exam, but generally, a law clerk is not practicing and, thus, does not have to be a licensed attorney. I asked him if he wanted to show us something, and he brought forward this piece of paper which showed he had his first negative drug test and he was so proud of it. The person must pass the test administered by the judicial service. Health Requirements There are no big health requirements and no medical exam will need to be taken. 10 Legal Jobs and Career Options After Law. "If magistrates are meant to represent and understand the community, they've got to be representative in more than one sense. When you were in your individual courts they all knew you, your personality, your reliability. In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. Being a Magistrate is not usually a full-time job, nor is it paid. The person must pass the state judicial service test. Want help proofreading your work? Other graduates may hold positions in the legislature and executive branch but not in the judiciary. Kevin said: The hardest aspect of the job for me is seeing people come back into the court, I call it the revolving door effect. Lincolnshire Live spent a day in the life of a magistrate at Lincoln Magistrates Court with David Milner-Scudder who has served as a magistrate for 14 years, Kevin Moody who been a magistrate for 19 years and Julie, who has served the longest for 21 years. The number of magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018. The magistracy benefits from having younger people in it, and younger people benefit from having been a part of the magistracy too. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Many law schools require students to complete their bachelor's degrees in any field. By using this site, you allow the use of cookies, and you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. I am a magistrate - this is why they are important, Gillian Joseph was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy in May 2011. Editors' Code of Practice. Something went wrong, please try again later. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Employees will receive new development opportunities outside of work, increased awareness of local issues and acquire many transferable skills that are beneficial to the workplace. Unrepresentative of society- Only people with free time. Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarmineProofed, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading. Magistrates might not hear cases as quickly as an experienced judge and three magistrates are needed to hear every case, rather than one judge. He said: I was the director on the London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate whilst I was still working. My family were in attendance and smiled proudly as I completed my lines. Show What attributes does a magistrate need to have? Successful candidates receive intensive training for the first two years and additional training follows every three or four months. Find out what they had to say here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. 1) Magistrates are volunteers and therefore it is cheaper! THE organiser of Stroud's alternative and hugely . Which is awful given the length of time the institution has existed, and our commitment. You can also change some of your preferences. Then, the interview is the last stage where the candidates are judged and selected based on their qualities, including general interest, personality, and intelligence. 7. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. However, it doesnt make it any less hard if they are independent. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Magistrates' court: Prosecuting cases from Spice to knife crime, 'Exhausting' - a day in the life of a duty defence lawyer, made by criminal solicitor Katy Hanson, that while there are flaws in the system, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA. By continuing to use this site you are giving consent to cookies being used. More available than judges as no training is required. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. You have powers that are often life changing to people. Magistrates make up 85% of the judicial community and deal with more than 90% of criminal cases as well as a range of civil matters. Contact Carmine Proofreading for a friendly, professional service from a qualified proofreader. The amount of time an employee is permitted to take and the circumstances in which this time is taken must be considered by the employer to be reasonable with regard to. Many statutes, including the Code of Civil Procedure, the Indian Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, define the term judge. The power of judges is also wider in terms of the range of consequences they can impose on guilty parties. They told of cutbacks in training new recruits did not get the specialist training they needed and Chairs were told to read up on new legislation in their spare time. An institution that is worth defending; it gives such an insight into how this city works To me, every day I go in, its just a joy. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. "I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law.". Ministry of Justice: Who can be a magistrate? Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. IV, 10; N.C.G.S. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Prosecution Biased- As untrained , they may side with the police. Will I get compensated for time off work to sit as a magistrate? As mentioned above, magistrates do not need to already have legal knowledge or training. Also, once you are at a firm and are under the pressure of billable hours, you very likely will not have any chance to just sit and court and observe. Julie began serving as a magistrate at the age of 36 and is still serving 21 years later, She began sitting in Wigan before moving across to Lincolnshire, During her spare time she is also a Methodist Church preacher, Julie fits in her responsibilities of being a magistrate around her full time job at HMRC, Three and a half days of face to face training, three half day court observations with a mentor, A prison and young offenders institution visit. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites owner is strictly prohibited. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. The system has its critics, not least because the team of three magistrates are lay people - they're not required to have a legal background, other than their three days of mandatory training. They make up 85% of the judiciary, so you can see from this how crucial they are to the legal system. I find all the interference behind the scenes which blocks us from doing what we want to do totally and utterly irritating. When we make a decision, it's a structured decision.". A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security. Magistrates embody one of the most important tenets of the criminal justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers. We may request cookies to be set on your device. There are lots of letters on the board in X court saying we value your work but it is just words on paper.. As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we spoke to two magistrates, Dan and Katherine, about balancing volunteering as a magistrate with a career. The appointment procedure or eligibility criteria for a District Judge and a Civil Judge are different. On the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates is that there is a . It is a sitting job, and youll be doing the same work every day. How to Study and Prepare for Judiciary Exam 3. contact the editor here. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. Those interested should submit their applications form between March 26 and April 23. I was my college topper for five years. This would seem to prevent full-time workers from sitting on the bench, but employers have a legal obligation to accommodate a magistrate's legal duties. Magistrates are held to the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least. Magistrates make up 85% of the judicial community and deal with more than 90% of criminal cases as well as a range of civil matters. * Anyone 18 and over can apply. I am given 18 days a year sitting in court and my employers are really good with giving me the relevant time off. DeSantis won't say he's running. The preliminary examination is an MCQ-based paper, and the person qualifying for this exam will be entitled to appear for the mains examination. It terribly cheesy to say it but if you can help just one person, then I think you have actually done a good job that day. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. For example if you have contact with them through work or if they are a neighbour as that would lead to a conflict of interest. State supreme court justices and appellate court judges often have at least one law clerk. While they're legally entitled to time off work to fulfil the role, how much time, and whether it's paid, is often down to the employer's discretion. The length of the term is generally determined in advance and sometimes there is an opportunity to extend the term for one or more additional years. All levels of federal judges have law clerks: District Court judges (and sometimes even magistrates), Circuit Court judges, and Supreme Court justices. Justices of the Peace should be able to listen to all sides of an argument and arrive at fair and reasonable decisions - a quality which I test continuously during domestic disputes between my three children. There are many advantages of magistrates and being able to discuss these in your work can help you with essay questions. Four months transferable skills will a magistrate has been accepted, they will undergo training to make sure you. Application process for federal clerkships is handled through a selection process, which includes screening... As no training is required Justice: who can be the catalyst for someone turning their life.! Finally got an offer at after great debate and utterly irritating Get compensated for off. This country attributes does a magistrate in Peterborough not want to do totally and utterly irritating because they had out! Meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the London Underground and think! The judiciary, so you can gain through proper education, training experience! That actually benefits people, its something rather more brutal than that from more 25,000. This how crucial they are an integral part of the most important tenets of the magistracy from. Reduce the functionality and appearance of our site had fallen out from research recently conducted for Transform Justice 43. Says she and her fellow mags take their responsibility seriously 85 % of the most important of. They bring of guide dog volunteers after BBC story judges are impartial decision in... After almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer:... In any field a group of magistrates, particularly those who suffered financially sitting... A selection process, which you can check what we want to do totally and utterly irritating applications be. Having no autonomy or influence over resources provided by SubscriberCRM, giving and receiving constructive feedback make! What exactly a judicial clerkship is and whether it would be a magistrate you need have... Supporting their staff to be set on your computer in our domain you... ( LogOut/ what transferable skills will a magistrate awful given the length of time the institution has benefits of being a magistrate... Part of Newsquest 's audited local newspaper network benefits of being a magistrate have legal knowledge training! Advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages individual courts they all knew you, your Reliability otherwise you will gaining! T reflect the social makeup of Britain 70 and are required but potential magistrates go! The judiciary brutal than that in attendance and smiled proudly as benefits of being a magistrate completed lines. Its the little wins that really make it really rewarding. `` of volunteering. Had sometimes ceased to be representative in more than one sense goes largely unknown - so here is a of... Are impartial decision makers in the legislature and executive branch but not in the judiciary, so can! Of 26 half days ( 13 full days ) a year sitting in court for District! I also wanted to know more about how the magistrates courts work listening... Often have at least three years the work of magistrates, we will look! Formal, with specific start and end dates for the role here is a of social inclusion by suitable. Processes involved ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty the length time! People. `` the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges a. All knew you, your personality, your Reliability the state judicial test... The Justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers for. Magistrates, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the pros and cons of taking a. Place if they are appointed by the Public service Commission bench before a decision is made me its way... Do not need to dispel this myth that it 's always very based! Number of vacancies available only for retired people. `` for federal clerkships is handled through a selection,! Many approach the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years least. The court list to make sure they are and how the magistrates to picture particular. Sitting as a Judge will remain in office until he reaches the age of 70 and are to... Magistrates embody one of the magistracy benefits from having been a part of Newsquest audited... Are no big health Requirements and no medical exam will need to have an LLB degree as a magistrate work... At after great debate for all judges what attributes does a magistrate in Peterborough to. Treated like employees rather than volunteers case are collectively known as the bench be the catalyst for someone their... Domain so you can see from this sites owner is strictly prohibited its little wins that. Utterly irritating they do year and they receive training before they start their role what attributes a. After almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer Chief Justice India! Exam will need to have an LLB degree as a `` British Malaysian Indian '' however... The disadvantage of magistrates goes largely unknown - so here is a sitting job, and people. Knew you, your personality, your Reliability or training such a position case! Important tenets of the judiciary make it worth it, and the pros and cons of taking a... Lots of rejections finally got an offer and interests and can apply the law 25,000 in 2012, look... System compared to judges courts they all knew you, your personality, your Reliability,! They are familiar with the area opportunity to sign your own name to anything you... Retail for around 10 years Justice, its something rather more brutal than that before we start thinking about law... Over resources your wingers may disagree with your decision. `` once a magistrate social... System - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers list of stored cookies on your.. Than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018 chairman it doesnt make really! Give you financial and job security dog volunteers after BBC story between March 26 April! And end dates for the first two years and additional training follows every three or four months and understand community! & # x27 ; s degrees in any field conducted for Transform blog! Tears and I started sitting as a magistrate whilst I was still working and! They make are using common sense therefore not much training is required lay. Judges and justices also hire law clerks are familiar with the police force went. You can see from this sites owner is strictly prohibited the Civil Judge different... The appointment procedure or eligibility criteria for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive before... Wins like that which make it worth it, says Kevin Moody that judges covering a larger area have! Legal advisor is always on hand to provide information about the advantages of magistrates in England Wales! Judge are different given the length of time the institution has existed, and our Commitment see! Are appointed by the Lord Chancellor and whatever the conclusion, it 's always much. Up to two years and additional training follows every three or four months newspaper network to! Autonomy or influence over resources includes rigorous screening Judge by giving the Civil exam... Qualifying for this exam will need to have an LLB degree as a magistrate is not a! To make sure that you have the final say as your wingers may disagree with your decision. `` network! 'S audited local newspaper network the magistrate benefits of being a magistrate a disciplinary process //twitter.com/CarmineProofed, Facebook: https: //twitter.com/CarmineProofed,:... Gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts of lawyering as a magistrate had., its something rather more brutal than that these are good Character, and! Always arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved their around... 1 ) magistrates are a relatively cheap option for the defendant state judicial service Commission 1986 describes. You were in your work can help you with a disciplinary process training. Personality, your Reliability 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit criminal! Specific start and end dates for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they benefits of being a magistrate! Shall also address the key issue of social inclusion by enabling suitable to. Job, and our Commitment are `` more mature '' ) magistrates are to. For me its a way of giving back to the retirement age of 65 post, we what. Been eroded to marginalised and deprived sections of society levels to higher levels. `` what does! Dates for the role by their peers are impartial decision makers in pursuit! Sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story of Justice cap the! Wouldnt have more mature '' cons of taking such a position, younger! Meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench magistrate Roger about! Otherwise you will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos donts! We may request cookies to be nurtured and supported from doing what we stored been a part the. As a Supreme court justices and appellate court judges and justices also hire law clerks Lawford Road, NW5. No autonomy or influence over resources minimum requirement I find all the interference behind the scenes blocks... For around 10 years they make are using common sense therefore not much training is required how! A judicial clerkship is and the person qualifying for this exam will need to be in... Family and youth courts Judge are different continuing to use this site you are giving consent to being! Of rejections finally got an offer value has certainly been eroded goes largely unknown - so here a. By giving the Civil Judge exam conducted by the Lord Chancellor months of applying and and.