Training Flashcards
Who supervises the training of lay magistrates?
Magistrates Committee of the Judicial Studies Board
Where is the training of magistrates carried out and why ?
in the local areas due to the large numbers
How are the magistrates trained (2)
- sometimes go through the clerk of the court
- sometimes through weekend courses organised by universities with magistrates from the region attending
From what year has magistrates training been more closely looked at ?
1998
Why has there been since 1998 a more closely monitored system of magistrates?
as although magistrates required to attend a certain number of hours training there was no assessment of how much they had understood
what are the 4 areas of competence?
- Managing yourself
- Working as a team member
- Making judicial decisions
- Managing judicial decision making (chairman)
What area of competence is only relevant to the Chairmen of the Bench?
Managing judicial decision making
Elaborate briefly on the 4 areas of competence
- Managing yourself
- Working as a team member
- Making judicial decisions
- Managing judicial decision making (chairman)
-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
What delivers training ?
the Bench Training and Developmental Committees (BTDCs)
What does BTDCs stand for?
Bench Training and Developmental Committees
What power sets out a statutory obligation that the Lord Chancellor has to provide training and training methods?
s.19 (3) of the Courts Act 2003
What are the 5 steps of the first year of training for new magistrates?
- Initial training before siting in court
- Mentoring
- Core training
- Consolidation training
- First appraisal
What does s19 (3) of the Courts Act 2003 set out a statutory obligation for?
for the Lord Chancellor to provide training and training materials
What is the initial training a magistrates will undergo?
They will sit in court with two other experienced magistrates
What is involved in the Mentoring (step 2) of training a new magistrate?
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
How long is the new magistrate mentored for?
12-18 months
How many formal mentored sittings will there be in the first 12-18 months?
6 formal mentored sittings
What is involved in the core training (step 3) of training a new magistrate?
new magistrates will visit prisons or Young Offenders’ Institutions and observe other magistrates
What is involved in the consolidation training (step 4) of training a new magistrate?
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
What is involved in the first appraisal (step 5) of training a new magistrate?
about 12-18 months after appointment when mentor and magistrate agree they are ready the new magistrate is appraised. Deemed fully competent
What will be given to any magistrate who have not achieved the competencies?
they will be given extra training
Who is the matter referred to if a new magistrate cannot achieve the competencies?
the local Advisory Committee
Who may recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the magistrate who cannot achieve the competencies is removed from sitting?
the local Advisory Committee
What is the diagram of the completion of becoming a magistrate
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
