Training

Question 1

Who supervises the training of lay magistrates?

Answer 1

Magistrates Committee of the Judicial Studies Board

Question 2

Where is the training of magistrates carried out and why ?

Answer 2

in the local areas due to the large numbers

Question 3

How are the magistrates trained (2)

Answer 3

• sometimes go through the clerk of the court

- sometimes through weekend courses organised by universities with magistrates from the region attending

Question 4

From what year has magistrates training been more closely looked at ?

Answer 4

1998

Question 5

Why has there been since 1998 a more closely monitored system of magistrates?

Answer 5

as although magistrates required to attend a certain number of hours training there was no assessment of how much they had understood

Question 6

what are the 4 areas of competence?

Answer 6

• Managing yourself
• Working as a team member
• Making judicial decisions
• Managing judicial decision making (chairman)

Question 7

What area of competence is only relevant to the Chairmen of the Bench?

Answer 7

Managing judicial decision making

Question 8

Elaborate briefly on the 4 areas of competence

• Managing yourself
• Working as a team member
• Making judicial decisions
• Managing judicial decision making (chairman)

Answer 8

-Managing yourself in respect to preparing for court and and on going learning

Working as a member of a team through focusing on the team aspect of decision-making

Making judicial decision focuses on impartial and structured decision making

Managing judicial decision making is the Chairmans role which focuses on working with the legal adviser and ensuring effective, impartial decision making

Question 9

What delivers training ?

Answer 9

the Bench Training and Developmental Committees (BTDCs)

Question 10

What does BTDCs stand for?

Answer 10

Bench Training and Developmental Committees

Question 11

What power sets out a statutory obligation that the Lord Chancellor has to provide training and training methods?

Answer 11

s.19 (3) of the Courts Act 2003

Question 12

What are the 5 steps of the first year of training for new magistrates?

Answer 12

• Initial training before siting in court
• Mentoring
• Core training
• Consolidation training
• First appraisal

Question 13

What does s19 (3) of the Courts Act 2003 set out a statutory obligation for?

Answer 13

for the Lord Chancellor to provide training and training materials

Question 14

What is the initial training a magistrates will undergo?

Answer 14

They will sit in court with two other experienced magistrates

Question 15

What is involved in the Mentoring (step 2) of training a new magistrate?

Answer 15

each new magistrate has a mentor to guide them through the first 12-18 months
-There are 6 formal mentored sittings where the magistrate will review their progress

Question 16

How long is the new magistrate mentored for?

Answer 16

12-18 months

Question 17

How many formal mentored sittings will there be in the first 12-18 months?

Answer 17

6 formal mentored sittings

Question 18

What is involved in the core training (step 3) of training a new magistrate?

Answer 18

new magistrates will visit prisons or Young Offenders’ Institutions and observe other magistrates

Question 19

What is involved in the consolidation training (step 4) of training a new magistrate?

Answer 19

at the end of the first year the training builds and is designed to help magistrates to plan for on going development and prepare for their first appraisal

Question 20

What is involved in the first appraisal (step 5) of training a new magistrate?

Answer 20

about 12-18 months after appointment when mentor and magistrate agree they are ready the new magistrate is appraised. Deemed fully competent

Question 21

What will be given to any magistrate who have not achieved the competencies?

Answer 21

they will be given extra training

Question 22

Who is the matter referred to if a new magistrate cannot achieve the competencies?

Answer 22

the local Advisory Committee

Question 23

Who may recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the magistrate who cannot achieve the competencies is removed from sitting?

Answer 23

the local Advisory Committee

Question 24

What is the diagram of the completion of becoming a magistrate

Answer 24

Appointment
|
Initial Training 
|
First Sitting
|
Mentored sittings
Magistrates adjudicate in court as wingers
|
9-12months consolidation training 
|
After 12-18months after appointment, appraisal 
|
Three year cycle continuation training 
followed by approval

Question 25

Where are training sessions organised and carried out?

Answer 25

Organised and carried out at local level within the 42 court areas

Question 26

Who delivers most of the training?

Answer 26

Justices’ Clerks

Question 27

What training will be delivered nationally for areas which do not have enough Chairmen who need the required training to run an effective course locally ?

Answer 27

the training of Youth and Family panel Chairmen

Question 28

Why is the training of Youth and Family Panel Chairmen delivered nationally?

Answer 28

as some areas do not have enough Chairmen requiring training to run an effective course locally

Question 29

When do magistrates have continuation training?

Answer 29

every 3 hours

Question 30

How often are magistrates appraised?

Answer 30

every 3 years

Question 31

Why are magistrates appraised every 3 years?

Answer 31

to ensure they maintain their competency to sit

Question 32

How can a magistrate become a chairman?

Answer 32

they will receive extra training and then appraised for this role