Lay Magistrates Flashcards
Who are lay magistrates?
Unpaid, part-time judges who sit in Magistrates’ Court. There are 17,500 of them
How many magistrates sit on a bench?
2/3, usually 3. Though to issue warrants for search and arrest, there only needs to be one magistrate
What qualifications does a magistrate need?
They do not need any formal qualifications, though they need these 6 key qualities:
- good character
- understanding and communication
- social awareness
- maturity and sound temperament
- sound judgement
- commitment and reliability
What is the age for a person to become a magistrate?
Between 18 and 65 on appointment, they may sit on the bench until they are 70
How many magistrates are below the age of 40?
3%
What is the commitment needed to become a magistrate?
They must live in their local justice area, specified by the Lord Chancellor. And they must sit 26 half days per year, which is a factor that deters people
What are disqualifying factors to becoming a magistrate?
- Serious criminal convictions
- Bankruptcy
- Member of the forces
- Police officer
How many magistrates are appointed each year?
700
What is the aim of advertisements to encourage people to become magistrates?
To get a panel that is representative of all aspects of society
What is the aim of the first stage of the interview process?
It is more about personal attributes and whether a candidate has the 6 qualities
What is the aim of the second stage of the interview process?
Testing a candidates judicial aptitude
Successful candidates’ names are sent to the Lord Chief Justice or a delegate
What percentage of magistrates are women?
53%, which is lots more compared to the judiciary
What courts can a magistrate sit in?
- Magistrates’ Court
- Youth Court (panel of one man and one woman)
- Family Court (specially trained JP’s)
- Appeals in the Crown Court
Who are responsible for the training of magistrates?
The magisterial committee of the Judicial College
What is an appraisal?
A check to see if a magistrate has acquired the needed competencies. If they haven’t, extra training may be needed
