Magistrates

Question 0

Within what age range is it possible to become a lay magistrate?

Answer 0

18-65

Question 1

What is the main difference between a lay magistrate and a District Judge?

Answer 1

District Judges have 7 years experience

Question 2

What is the only formal qualification that a lay magistrate must have?

Answer 2

Live locally

Question 3

Magistrates no longer have to be British nationals but must do what instead?

Answer 3

Take an oath of allegiance to the Queen

Question 4

Name the six key qualities of a Magistrate?

Answer 4

Good communication skills and understanding 
Good character
Social awareness 
Maturity and sound temperament 
Sound judgement 
Commitment and reliability

Question 5

Give one example of an occupation that would stop someone from becoming a magistrate as it would be considered a “conflicting occupation”

Answer 5

Police

Question 6

Name one other reason someone might not be able to become a magistrate?

Answer 6

Bankruptcy

Question 7

The application form will be used for a number of things but most importantly to check whether the candidate had what?

Answer 7

Common sense

Question 8

If it is decided to interview the candidate they will normally have two interviews. Describe the main object of either interview?

Answer 8

Find out the attitudes of the candidate

Question 9

Who is responsible for the interviewing and recruitment of lay magistrates?

Answer 9

Local advisory committee

Question 10

What is the body that appoints magistrates trying to achieve in terms of their composition?

Answer 10

Reflect society

Question 11

Who are the names of suitable candidates put forward to?

Answer 11

The Lord Chancellor

Question 12

New magistrates must now have compulsory training. Which body is responsible for training magistrates?

Answer 12

Magistrates Committee of the Judicial Studies Board

Question 13

Which methods of training does initial training include?

Answer 13

Small group work

Question 14

How many hours must a new magistrate sit in court as part of their induction training?

Answer 14

18

Question 15

How many days minimum must a magistrate be willing to sit?

Answer 15

26 half days

Question 16

What sort of establishments must also be visited as part of the induction training?

Answer 16

Prison
Young offenders
Probation Service

Question 17

What is the minimum number of court observations in core training?

Answer 17

3

Question 18

After their first two years magistrates must undertake which training and for how many hours?

Answer 18

Consolidation training

12 hours

Question 19

What is the name in the meeting in core training which decides whether a magistrate is ready to take up their duties?

Answer 19

Appraisal

Question 20

Give examples of a role which will require a magistrate to receive extra training?

Answer 20

Youth Court Cases

Family Chair Person

Question 21

What legal expert are magistrates assisted by?

Answer 21

Clerk to the justices

Question 22

What are the Magistrates maximum sentencing powers?

Answer 22

Maximum fine £5,000

6 months custodial imprisonment- 12 months

Question 23

Name a civil function of a magistrates court

Answer 23

Debts

Question 24

What is the age range for defendants in the Youth Court?

Answer 24

10-17 years old

Question 25

Qualifications of a magistrate

Answer 25

Judicial qualities-assimilate factual information and make a reasoned decision upon it Take account for the reasoning of others and work as a team 18-65 Must live in the local justice area 26 half days commitment

Question 26

Restrictions on appointment

Answer 26

People with serious criminal convictions,undischarged bankrupts, members of the forces and whose work is incompatible with sitting as a magistrate -police

Question 27

Appointment

Answer 27

Made by the lord chancellor on the recommendation of the local advisory committees recommendations

Question 28

Local advisory committee

Answer 28

Maximum 12 members | Magistrates and non magistrates

Question 29

Interview panels

Answer 29

Two stage interview process First- find out the candidates personal attributes- six key qualities Second- testing candidates potential judicial aptitude and this is done by a discussion of at least two case studies which are typical of those heard regularly in the magistrates courts

Question 30

Composition of lay magistrates

Answer 30

``` Half aged between 60-70 4 percent under 40 Overwhelmingly from professional and managerial ranks 40/ retired from full time employment 51 women 8 ethnic minorities ```

Question 31

Magistrates duties

Answer 31

Try 97/ of criminal cases Deal with preliminary hearings in the other 3 percent- early administrative hearings,remand hearings,bail applications and committal proceedings Civil matters- utilities,council tax,non-payment of television licences Hear appeals for the refusal of licences to be granted

Question 32

Youth and family court

Answer 32

Specially nominated and trained to deal with charges against young offenders Special panel for family court- protection against violence l,affiliation, adoption orders and proceedings under the children act 1989

Question 33

Who is the training supervised by

Answer 33

Magistrates committee of the Judical study board

Question 34

3/4 competencies

Answer 34

Managing yourself Working as a member of a team Making judicial decisions Managing judicial decision making

Question 35

Training of new magistrates

Answer 35

Initial training- introductory training of the basics of the role, then sit in court with two other experienced magistrates Mentoring- specially trained mentor to guide them through the first 12-18 months, mentor sittings review progress Core training- further training, visits to prisons,youth offenders institutions, and observing over magistrates will take place Consolidation training- builds on the learning from sittings and core training Plan for first appraisal Appraisal- about 12-18 months after appointment, when both the magistrate agree that he or she is ready, the new magistrate is appraised. When successful the magistrate is deemed as fully competent

Question 36

Training pattern

Answer 36

``` Appointment Initial training First sitting Mentored sittings Magistrate adjudicate in the courts as wingers 9-12month consolidation training After 12-18 months appraisal Three year cycle continuation training followed by approval ```

Question 37

Training sessions

Answer 37

Organised and carried out at a liam level in 42 areas Much of the training is delivered by the justices clerks The judicial studies board intends that most training should be delivered locally Youth and family panel chairman delivered nationally

Question 38

Ongoing training

Answer 38

Continuation training every 3 years Appraised to see if they have maintained their competency to sit Update training changes on law Extra training youth/family court

Question 39

Retirement

Answer 39

Supplemental list

Question 40

Removal for

Answer 40

Incapacity or misbehaviour Persistent failure to meet such standards of competent as are prescribed by the lord chancellor Declining or neglecting to take proper part in the exercise