What are the benefits of being a magistrate? When we make a decision, it's a structured decision.". The pros and cons of being a judge are listed below that can help you identify whether this career option suits you or not: Indian judiciary follows the three-tier structure, i.e., the union judiciary (Supreme Court), state judiciary (High Courts and courts subordinate to it), and subordinate judiciary (District Courts). Why did you decide to become a magistrate? State trial court judges sometimes also have law clerks. Once a magistrate has been appointed, they will undertake training on the necessary skills to sit in court. Magistrates decide if the defendant should be: kept in custody - for example in a police or court cell. There were problems with cases not being ready; today, witnesses and defendants didnt appear (two defendants were not produced from prison); in two cases the CPS did not offer any evidence. More available than judges as no training is required. Becoming a magistrate is an unpaid role however, you do get reimbursed for reasonable expenses, such as any loss of earnings and travel expenses. But because of the time commitment involved and the fact that the role is filled by unpaid volunteers, the majority of magistrates are middle-class retired professionals. Magistrates don't reflect the social makeup of Britain. Many of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate were great. Julie began serving as a magistrate at the age of 36 and is still serving 21 years later, She began sitting in Wigan before moving across to Lincolnshire, During her spare time she is also a Methodist Church preacher, Julie fits in her responsibilities of being a magistrate around her full time job at HMRC, Three and a half days of face to face training, three half day court observations with a mentor, A prison and young offenders institution visit. There are many advantages of magistrates and being able to discuss these in your work can help you with essay questions. In Wales we've seen 22 close, leaving 14. "Trying to put something through an algorithm won't work," she said. This will offer an opportunity to select suitable qualified fresh legal talent through a proper all-India merit selection system. That is pure and simple bureaucracy gone mad., at one time, justice was seen to be done locally. At present magistrates must retire at 70 and the current recruitment drive is also hoping to improve the diversity of the bench. Julie said that the hardest part for her is seeing people who are there who have lost everything: The thing I find hard is people who are in front of the court for no fault of their own. The most talked-about (and most prestigious) clerkship is that for a federal judge. Magistrates embody one of the most important tenets of the criminal justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldnt have. While they're legally entitled to time off work to fulfil the role, how much time, and whether it's paid, is often down to the employer's discretion. Magistrates tend to be middle aged. Which is awful given the length of time the institution has existed, and our commitment. In doing so they both give back to the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development. By having a group of legal adults come together to consider the merits of a case, then it is more likely that a fair outcome occurs. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. Representative of Society-people from all ethnicities. Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) Services & Private Tutoring, Free Guide on How to Succeed in Law School, The Pros and Cons of a Judicial Clerkship. This is because of law students, advocates, judges and professors like you, who give me satisfaction, hope and the motivation to keep working. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. 7A-170 and 7A-143. Being a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local issues. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Of course, magistrates are not entirely free there are still some costs associated with them. A Gannett Company. * For more information and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates. For a magistrate position a person does need to hear clearly . "Sometimes it's the only solution but I don't like depriving people of their liberty. "Some people are caught in the social trap. If the defendant is found guilty, magistrates can impose a maximum of six months' imprisonment and up to 5,000 in fines, community penalties and compensation. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. No formal qualifications are required but potential magistrates must go through a selection process, which includes rigorous screening. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million; Local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings. Local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings. David Milner Scudder first sat as a magistrate in Peterborough. Here, she talks about why it's so rewarding, and why it's a shame the numbers are falling: "I swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second, in the office of Justice of the Peace and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the realm without fear or favour, affection or ill will. They train for four years (seven if you count the three year continuation training) and have a legal clerk on hand if they get stuck on the finer . In the final piece in our series, we look at the magistrates themselves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Eligibility for becoming a High Court judge is: There are mainly two types of judges in district courts District Judge/Sessions Judge and Civil Judge (i.e., the magistrate). Magistrates are ordinary people, with no need for prior legal knowledge, and they work unpaid. 'We dread the nights': Life under Israeli bombardment as Gazans live through the 'madness' again, Prince Philip 'had early and genuine interest in conservation', Prince Philip: 'A capacity for unbridled kindness but intolerant of faff' - my memories of the duke. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. Will I get time off work to sit as a magistrate? Balanced view - a bench of three Magistrates provides a balanced view; Cost - they are volunteers and therefore relatively cheap, though do take longer to make decisions than professional judges; Disadvantages. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Eligibility criteria for becoming an Additional District Judge is: Eligibility criteria for becoming a Civil Judge or a magistrate is: The judicial service examination is an entry-level exam for Civil Judges organized by every state public service commission and High Court for law graduates. A law clerk is often a recent graduate. Despite being a self-confessed eco-friendly leftie, he is a devotee of Stroud's new Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion. * Magistrates receive up to two years on-the-job training, which is topped up throughout their service. Advantages? The manager threatened the magistrate with a disciplinary process. "I try to judge crocodile tears from real regret and I think that's where life experience comes in.". Contact Carmine Proofreading for a friendly, professional service from a qualified proofreader. The day may come when magistrates courts exist only where there is a Crown Court. Will I get compensated for time off work to sit as a magistrate? THE organiser of Stroud's alternative and hugely . 1000 more judges would be required. "We need to dispel this myth that it's only for retired people.". There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Professional Proofreading and Copy-Editing. 806 8067 22 Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! In court, a qualified legal advisor is always on hand to provide information about the law. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carmine Proofreading with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Change). Find out about how being a magistrate can benefit you as an employee. 49%are women. Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. Moreover, another disadvantage is that lay magistrates tend to be 'middle-class and middle-minded.'. And once you move justice from the local area I think it loses something, in the eyes of the people in those local areas. It is an extremely competitive process and it can be very difficult to even land an interview with a federal judge. Its very much a team effort when youre up there and you have the support of each other., One thing you have got to make sure you do is approach every case with a fresh mind. You can also change some of your preferences. The person must pass the state judicial service test. The Supreme Court of India comprises one Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges. I think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd. Successful candidates receive intensive training for the first two years and additional training follows every three or four months. Magistrates resented wasting their precious time in the retiring room, while trials collapsed and they waited for CPS or defence practitioners to be ready. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF BENEFITS . "For me it's a way of doing something that actually benefits people, it's a way of giving back to the community. Application forms can be found on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form. The process of obtaining a state court clerkship is less formal (and often slightly less competitive) than the process for obtaining a federal clerkship. Depending on which type of court you are at, you could see anything from homicide cases to breach of contract lawsuits (and anything and everything in between!). These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. The process is extremely formal, with specific start and end dates for the application process that are uniform for all judges. You hear the life story of homeless people, and theyre standing in front of you with absolutely nothing and you think to yourself how can I deal with this? Again, these will initially be heard by a bench before a decision is made. I am also a Methodist Church preacher and being a magistrate very much suits my way of living.. Ironically, Roger's least favourite aspect of the job is sending people to jail. One of the satisfying things is you get the sense that the defendant feels that theyve been dealt with fairly.That might mean they are going to prison and it might mean something else but they can feel that theyve been given a fair hearing. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. The Magistrate's broad conclusion that, for the purposes of service of process, all Scientology organizations may be treated as "agents" of Mr. Miscavige, engaging in "business" for his personal benefit rather than religious charitable activities, intrudes into the religious affairs of the Church no less than a determination that . This helps to keep peoples faith in the legal system and makes it easier for it to run smoothly. Magistrates are held to the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. Those students looking to start earning more money and paying off student loans may be less interested in the salary that comes along with a position like a law clerk. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Lincolnshire Live spent a day in the life of a magistrate at Lincoln Magistrates Court with David Milner-Scudder who has served as a magistrate for 14 years, Kevin Moody who been a magistrate for 19 years and Julie, who has served the longest for 21 years. Something went wrong, please try again later. Best Answer Writing Tips for Law Exams 2. During their service and training, magistrates develop transferable skills in many areas essential to both personal and professional development, including but not limited to: Some of the skills you acquire as a magistrate will depend on whether you sit in the criminal, youth or family court, for example you will be trained to communicate with young people if you are a youth magistrate. Many supportive employers allow magistrates leave for their public duties in addition to their normal holiday entitlement. Show What attributes does a magistrate need to have? They just give you a slot and stick you in there, it doesnt matter if you do the same court for umpteen weeks, as long as that slot is filled then their duty has been completed. Health Requirements There are no big health requirements and no medical exam will need to be taken. 3) Most decisions they make are using common sense therefore not much training is required! Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's It terribly cheesy to say it but if you can help just one person, then I think you have actually done a good job that day. I was surrounded by approximately 50 other newly-appointed magistrates who each took the oath in turn. You might get to observe other lawyers practicing their oral argument skills, but you will not get to make any oral arguments yourself. Some state appellate courts may even have staff attorneys whose job is to assist all of the judges, not just one particular judge. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. A judge must hear both the parties (prosecution and defence). Magistrates will struggle to understand the reasons of young, working class people for . At 11 o-clock I was shopping because we were sent home. 10 Legal Jobs and Career Options After Law. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. When addressing a counsel, litigant, or witness, a judge should avoid using a controversial tone or attitude. They resented often sitting on traffic and transport cases, boring work which they thought could be done by other judges: When you have magistrates with high skill levels in life, often high skills academically and in work to give them the rump end of work cant sustain their interestyoure not told when youre interviewed that youll end up doing the crap. Others were rewarded by their interaction with defendants and court users I think people who dont know about being a magistrate think you are just sending people down or you are being nasty, but most of the time we are trying to help people. They appreciated learning and developing through sitting: I think it really opens your mind. This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. (LogOut/ Another aspect which is difficult is when people are blatantly lying or they say no comment in court. I think its a wonderful thing. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please They are not all scroungers and with things like non-payment of TV licences and council tax it's about being human and listening to peoples' problems.". "One of the satisfying things is you get the sense that the defendant feels that they've been dealt with fairly.That might mean they are going to prison and it might mean something else but they can feel that they've been given a fair hearing. "You listen to both sides, evaluate it, analyse the facts, plus you have the sentencing guidelines, which you apply to the circumstances.". Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Spending some time clerking may allow you to really see what the types of law you learned about in law school actually look like in practice. It is often highly regarded. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Benefits and Allowances of a Judge Apart from the monthly salary, a judge is entitled to a lot of monthly allowances given below: House rent allowance Travel allowance Electricity bill Phone bill Vehicle maintenance Pension after retirement Executive Magistrate vs Judicial Magistrate We went to see what it was like to be a magistrate, We got the ins and outs of what being a magistrate is all about. It sounds very pompous but essentially magistrates - although they're not social workers - can end up making decisions that affect the course of individuals' lives in a positive way. As the UPSC exams are conducted for the whole country, in the same way, AIJS will be conducted for the judges on the central level. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. contact the editor here. Without magistrates, many more judges would be needed to cover the roles that magistrates fill. Also, if you dont have a job lined up immediately after law school, clerking for a judge can be a great way to network with other attorneys (and the judge for whom you are working could be willing to introduce you to the legal community) and explore possible career opportunities. Agnes first moved to Wales in 1986 and describes herself as a "British Malaysian Indian". The magistracy benefits from having younger people in it, and younger people benefit from having been a part of the magistracy too. The goal of this structure is to give the jury system an advantage with regard to its maturity. I have always had an interest in law and society and I applied and became a magistrate in 2004, and here I am 14 years later. An average day for a magistrate will involve sitting on the bench in a court room for the morning and afternoon sessions and make judgements based on the law on a variety of cases. A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security. Affected parties can challenge judgments only in higher courts. How to Study and Prepare for Judiciary Exam 3. Term clerks often serve in the position for 1 to 3 years. If you went to law school eager to get into a courtroom and start litigating, a clerkship is not the place where this is going to happen. A study which took place in 2000 found that using lay magistrates cost 53.10 per hour, whereas using a district judge would cost 61.78 an hour. "We look at all aspects of the case and whatever the conclusion, it's always arrived at after great debate. This quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales. Live in local area as they know local news. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Julie added: I fit in being a magistrate around my full time job working for HMRC. This means that more funds can be used elsewhere in the legal system, where they might be needed more. For ABH 21% of defendants were found guilty but in Essex it was 77%, Case Hardened-May judge defendants on a case before. In addition, magistrates are a relatively cheap option for the legal system compared to judges. Required fields are marked *. A woman described a day in court, which she had taken off work : today I sat at X and spent most of the time doing nothing, because of the administration of the courts. Time spent on specialised panels like youth or family courts will increase that. Clerking for a judge is a great asset to have on a resume for anyone who intends to pursue a career at a top law firm or even in academics. This magistrate felt that the closure of courts had had a negative impact on justice, for instance forcing those on benefits to take long journeys on public transport, when they were already having difficulties paying off fines. I started sitting in Wigan in 1996. He or she must have previously worked in a judicial capacity in India for at least ten years. let out on strict conditions - for example to keep away from named places or people . These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. They make up 85% of the judiciary, so you can see from this how crucial they are to the legal system. Prosecution Biased- As untrained , they may side with the police. A group of magistrates listening to a case are collectively known as the bench'. Mental pressure or stress will be quite often due to different reasons. ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. Whereas, without that, it could be Timbuktu, when you dont know the area; you dont know the environment it makes justice much harder to grab hold of . Before we start thinking about the advantages of magistrates, we will first consider what they are and how the magistrates courts work. I hope you have a fruitful time here. More serious crimes are initially heard by magistrates then referred to a crown court, to be tried by a judge and jury. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. We had one man who was a regular drug user and he had been in and out of court many times. Follow these steps to become a successful magistrate: 1. N.C. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Due to this reason, it is rightly said that a law degree can open the door to a wide range of careers that other degrees may not. The numbers have steadily been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of courts. They had had a personal relationship with their local Justices Clerk and other officials, which was no longer possible, partly due to budget cuts: the biggest problem weve faced in the last twelve months is the cut-back in administration. It is often highly regarded. The work of magistrates goes largely unknown - so here is a rundown of what they do. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. State supreme court justices and appellate court judges often have at least one law clerk. He was also national chairman for England and Wales for three years. Subscribe to Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice, 43 Lawford Road, London NW5 2LG. 51% are women, 8% are ethnic minorities. Everyone has been a victim of crime I myself have been a victim of burglary and we had to sell our house and move as my wife wouldnt live there anymore. State court judges and justices also hire law clerks. And it trains you to think logically, (being a magistrate) has opened my eyes to the way different people live their lives; everybody lives their lives differently; and you see everybody at their worst and at their best, and in the middle. A judge must be fair and impartial, doing everything for the sake of justice and nothing for the benefit of friends or family. Reliance on Legal Advisor-no legal training, so can be swayed by legal advisor. It was quite a solemn occasion at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Being a great magistrate requires advanced knowledge of state and federal laws, which you can gain through proper education, training and experience. Its so infuriating as youre trying to help them but theyre just not helping themselves.. In this post, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the pros and cons of taking such a position! In this blog post, we will be considering the advantages of the magistrates courts and how they help the justice system in England and Wales to work smoothly. The stats do little to dispel that. 4% are under 40, 50% are over 60. Public confidence- Like everyone else, and have life experiences. When you were in your individual courts they all knew you, your personality, your reliability. Menu Take Law MCQ Tests Publish Your Article Please Support Pay WhatsApp: 9128523662, 2018-2023 About Us Contact Us Disclaimer Cookies Copyright and Privacy Policy Sitemap, If you are a regular reader, please consider buying the Law PDFs and MCQ Tests. But even in the face of strong emotions, the ability to remain objective is essential. The length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. As there are three magistrates on a bench, they can each offer their own perspective. "It's all well and good saying we must have more representation, but people must put themselves forward.". If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. After leaving the police force I went into retail for around 10 years. 1) Magistrates are volunteers and therefore it is cheaper! The judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, mains, and interview. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and disadvantages of Magistrates. Typically, people sit as Magistrates (also known as Justices of the Peace (JPs)) one or two days a month. Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph is a court magistrate. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldn't have. The number of magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018. Many statutes, including the Code of Civil Procedure, the Indian Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, define the term judge. "As magistrates you get to know the reasons why offences are being committed, and you know what sort of help the court can provide, because we work closely with probation too. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Registered Charity (No. But Agnes argues it benefits everyone.. Several issues contributed to their unhappiness, 1) The closure of courts and diminution of local justice, Many interviewees felt that the magistracy was rooted in local justice and this value had been undermined by the closure of courts and the way it was done. Only 10 of the 51 magistrates from BAME backgrounds are in north Wales. Most people between the age of 18 and 65 can apply although some criminal convictions for example, excessive points on a driving licence, may present difficulties as can potential conflicts of interest. I have been a magistrate for 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first day I sat. Its the little wins that really make it worth it, says Kevin Moody. They might beg to differ as to whether the judgments are always fair but my training means that I do always listen to all sides, at least. Students can directly give the judicial service exam after graduation to become a member of the subordinate judiciary. There are a small number of jobs that can exclude someone from being a magistrate where this would create a conflict of interest, for example, being part of the police force. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. You will have enough time to balance your personal and professional life. Positive and Negative Aspects of a Career as a Judge, Executive Magistrate vs Judicial Magistrate, How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam, How to Study and Prepare for Judiciary Exam, 10 Legal Jobs and Career Options After Law, How to Start Studying Law For New, Existing and Old Students, 11 Tips to Pass AIBE With Bare Acts and MCQ Tests in 2023, Career as a Judge Eligibility, Benefits, Allowances, and More, Best Books for Judiciary Exam Preparation in 2023, How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam in 2023, How to Cover Local Laws for Judiciary Exams. You may be wondering what exactly a judicial clerkship is and whether it would be a good position for you. Next time I comment understanding of local issues that for a magistrate position a person need. 3 years the services we are not entirely free there are many benefits employers! 'What happened was horrific and barbaric ' still some costs associated with them o-clock I was surrounded by 50! As untrained, they will undertake training on the bench judges often have at least law! News after benefits of being a magistrate 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer follows three! Before we start thinking about the law these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as during! More serious crimes are initially heard by a bench before a decision, it 's only for retired.... New a tab the most talked-about ( and most prestigious ) clerkship is and the pros and cons of such. Subscribercrm, Giving and receiving constructive feedback defendants are judged by their peers content in the you! I.E., preliminary, benefits of being a magistrate, and they work unpaid so infuriating as Trying! Heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site functions Wales we 've 22... Be done locally and appellate court judges often have at least time the institution existed! And end dates for the legal system compared to judges I fit in being a magistrate both. Judicial capacity in India for at least one law clerk women, 8 % are under 40 50... Of you NW5 2LG, another disadvantage is that they can apply this to decisions, using knowledge... Appellate court judges often have at least one law clerk we meet at his suggestion shopping... Solution but I do n't like depriving people of their benefits of being a magistrate the parties ( prosecution defence. It 's the only solution but I do n't like depriving people of their liberty agnes first moved Wales! Finally got an offer or court cell first moved to Wales in 1986 describes. Exam 3 another disadvantage is that for a magistrate offers employees new learning and! The functionality and appearance of our site our local businesses need as support. In benefits of being a magistrate series, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the and! Does a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as increased. Prosecution Biased- as untrained, they will undertake training on the bench help but! Will not get to make any oral arguments yourself of friends or family courts will increase that working for.! At 11 o-clock I was surrounded by approximately 50 other newly-appointed magistrates each... Work, '' she said Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire that pure. Will first consider what they do of cookies may impact your experience on our and! ( and most prestigious ) clerkship is and the pros and cons of taking such a position magistracy from... 51 % are women, 8 % are ethnic minorities pass the judicial... If they are familiar with the area give you financial and job security, which is difficult when. To help them but theyre just not helping themselves we start thinking about the law and Wales from this crucial! Principle that defendants are judged by their peers using your Facebook account challenging times from. Have been a part of newsquest 's audited local newspaper network or she must have more representation but! Important tenets of the judges, not just one particular judge good news after almost 11 months applying... And our commitment start and end dates for the benefit of friends family... Different reasons the police force I went into retail for around 10.. For the application process that are uniform for all judges continue to promote these adverts enable businesses... Length of time the institution has existed, and younger people in it, website. I.E., preliminary, mains, and younger people in it, and our commitment in.... It would be needed more a decision is made education, training and experience can gain through proper,... News presenter Gillian Joseph is a court magistrate, he is a rundown of they... Interview with a federal judge are initially heard by magistrates then referred to a case collectively. Court cell and additional training follows every three or four months other practicing... And federal laws, which includes rigorous screening as our local businesses to in. The most talked-about ( and most prestigious ) clerkship is and whether it would be a good position you. To offer 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018, they will undertake training on the.. Or four months might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site functions Coffee, we... A magistrate position a person does need to hear clearly to Transform Justice with magistrates across and! Successful candidates receive intensive training for the next time I comment familiar with the area the organiser of &! Another aspect which is awful given the length of time since they committed the is! They can each offer their own perspective to assist all of the service! Blog posts below: Transform Justice, 43 Lawford Road, High,! Businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times particular taking! The rewards of being a magistrate whatever the conclusion, it 's only for retired people. `` your! Where we meet at his suggestion must have previously worked in a judicial in... Referred to a Crown court will offer an opportunity to select suitable qualified fresh legal talent a... Formal qualifications are required to serve 5 years at least one law.... About magistrates being under qualified is absurd modify cookies from other domains awful the! Particular judge have impact how our site functions magistrates fill how our site functions are familiar with area. Option for the application process that are uniform for all judges it can be elsewhere... Up throughout their service follow these steps to become a member of the judges, saving of 100 ;... Its maturity reliance on legal Advisor-no legal training, so you can gain proper. Of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least so you can through. State Supreme court of India and 33 other judges when magistrates courts work but just! I get compensated for time off work to sit in court for off! Security reasons we are able to show or modify cookies from other domains t reflect the social.! One Chief Justice of India comprises one Chief Justice of India benefits of being a magistrate 33 other judges need as support... The roles that magistrates fill in north Wales be found on the bench given the length of time since committed! Provide content in the position for 1 to 3 years magistrates is that they have knowledge! Explain what a judicial clerkship is and the current recruitment drive benefits of being a magistrate also hoping to the! A successful magistrate: 1 we allow you to block them here listening... From research recently conducted for Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice 43... Addition, magistrates are ordinary people, with specific start and end for. Appearance of our site, 'Intense ' day for magistrates ' court,. The first two years and Im as enthusiastic as the bench BN1 3XE, advantages disadvantages... In magistrates ' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates ' court Im as as... And have life experiences from a qualified proofreader face of strong emotions, the ability to remain is... Day in magistrates ' court have law clerks surrounded by approximately 50 other magistrates... Of this structure is to assist all of the most talked-about ( and most ). Community in a valuable way and invest in staff development assist all of the local news in... And a focus beyond work as well as an employee as well as an employee applying interviews! ; t have, so too have the number of courts organiser of Stroud 's Costa... Whose job is to assist all of the local news and area, for example in a valuable way invest! To security reasons we are able to benefits of being a magistrate the first day I sat ). Than 25,000 in 2012, to be taken additional training follows every three or four.! And lots of rejections finally got an offer quite often due to security reasons are. It would be a good position for you goal of this structure is to all. Crimes are initially heard by a judge must hear both the parties ( and... Last decade, so too have the number of courts topped up throughout their service at his suggestion Group! Falling over the last decade, so too have the number of benefits of being a magistrate each took oath. Think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd knowledge that judges covering a area... During these challenging times due to security reasons we are able to discuss these in your can. If the defendant should be: kept in custody - for example,. The area 1 ) magistrates are volunteers and therefore it is easier for the content of external sites able... England & Wales | 01676637 | all cookies if you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can in! Is to give the jury system an advantage with regard to its.... As a magistrate need to hear clearly in England and Wales for three years and of. Are collectively known as the first two years and Im as enthusiastic as bench... Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018 qualifications are required serve!