Qualifications of Lay Magistrates

Question 1

How many lay magistrates are there sitting as part-time judges in the Magistrates Courts ?

Answer 1

c25,000

Question 2

What is another name for Magistrates?

Answer 2

Justices of the Peace

Question 3

How many magistrates are there on a bench?

Answer 3

2-3

Question 4

What powers does a single lay magistrate have? (3)

Answer 4

• issue search warrants
• warrants for arrest
• conduct Early Administrative Hearings

Question 5

Who are District Judges who also work in Magistrates Courts?

Answer 5

They are not lay people but are qualified lawyers

Question 6

What powers do District Judges have? (2)

Answer 6

• The same powers as a bench of lay magistrates

- Can sit on their own to hear any of the cases that come before the court

Question 7

What qualifications much a lay magistrate have?

Answer 7

They do not have to have any qualifications in law

Question 8

What are the 6 key qualities which candidates to be a magistrate must have?

Answer 8

• Good character
• understanding and communication
• social awareness
• maturity and sound temperament
• sound judgement
• commitment and reliability

Question 9

What is it important lay magistrates are able to do as a part of certain ‘judicial qualities’?

Answer 9

That they are able to assimilate factual information and make a reasoned decision upon it

Question 10

What is the age requirement for a lay magistrate?

Answer 10

18-65

Question 11

When was the age of appointment reduced to 18?

Answer 11

2003

Question 12

What has been a result of the age of appointment for lay magistrates being reduced to 18 before 2003?

Answer 12

there has been a small number of much younger magistrates appointed

Question 13

In 2004 how old were 2 of the youngest magistrates?

Answer 13

21 and 23

Question 14

In 2004 when there were 2 young magistrates appointed at the ages of 21 and 23 where were they from?

Answer 14

21- In Shropshire

23-West Yorkshire

Question 15

When was the youngest magistrates appointed in Pontefract?

Answer 15

2006

Question 16

How old was the youngest magistrate appointed in Pontefract in 2006?

Answer 16

19

Question 17

What percentage of magistrates are under the age of 40?

Answer 17

4%

Question 18

How is the country divided?

Answer 18

into local justice areas

Question 19

How are magistrates appointed to an area?

Answer 19

they are expected to love or work within or near to the local justice area

Question 20

How many days a year do the lay magistrates sit?

Answer 20

26 half days

Question 21

Who are not allowed to apply to be a magistrate? (6)

Answer 21

• undischarged bankrupts
• members of the forces
• police officers
• traffic wardens
• People with serious criminal convictions
• those with impaired hearing

Question 22

What people with a conviction can still apply to be a magistrate without being automatically disqualified?

Answer 22

Some convicted of a minor motoring offence

Question 23

Why are relatives of those working in the local criminal justice system not likely to be appointed?

Answer 23

as it would appear not ‘just’ if for example the wife of a local police officer were to decide cases

Question 24

What was the previous name of District Judges?

Answer 24

previously known as stipendiary magistrates

Question 25

What must you be to be a District Judge ? (3)

Answer 25

• qualified barrister
• qualified solicitor
• Deputy District Judge

Question 26

How much experience must a person have in law in order to be a District Judge?

Answer 26

5 years

Question 27

Who are now eligible to be appointed as Deputy District Judges?

Answer 27

ILEX Fellows

Question 28

Where are District Judges appointed?

Answer 28

Only to courts in London or other big cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester

Question 29

Before becoming a District Judge how long are Deputy District Judges expected to sit to gain experience of sitting judicially?

Answer 29

part-time for 2 years