Magistrates

Question 1

magistrates

Answer 1

-lay people
-not legally qualified
-undertake a training programme
-16000 in UK
-justice of peace, volunteer

Question 2

how is it organised

Answer 2

-sit in a bench of 3
-get legal help from court clerk/legal advisor
-district judges also work there

Question 3

Qualifications

Answer 3

None required but 6 key qualities:
-good character
-communication
-social awareness
-maturity
-sound judgement
-reliability

Question 4

Age and commitment

Answer 4

-18 to 74
-retire at 75
-expected to live or work near by
-sit at least 26 half days a year

Question 5

Appointment

Answer 5

-local advisory committee
-recommend by 1 of 48
-appointed by lord chief justice
-interviews based on skills

Question 6

Training

Answer 6

-Judicial college
-initial introductory training
-core training
-activities such as prison visits

Question 7

Monitoring

Answer 7

-new magistrates sits as wingers
-appraisals to check compedence
-additional training for someone who wishes to come a chairmen or specialise

Question 8

Role

Answer 8

Criminal
-96% of all cases
-verdict and sentence
-bail
-pre trial hearings
Civil
-family proceedings court

Question 9

Retirement

Answer 9

-75
-can be removed under s11 Court Act 2003

Question 10

Advantages

Answer 10

-wider cross section of society
56% women than 32% women judges
-local knowledge
-cost
-clerk
-fewer appeals

Question 11

Disadvantages

Answer 11

-unrepresentative of society
40% retired
-prosecution bias, trust police
-reliance on clerk
-slow
-inconsistency in sentencing, different areas