Magistrates

• Magistrates - 2 types of magistrates

  1. justice of the peace (Jps)
  2. District judge (magistrates court) DJMC
• JPs

  • Lay - not legally qualified
  • voluntary - part time
  • unpaid but get expenses
  • A bench of 3 assisted by legal advisor
• DJMC

  • Professional - legally qualified
  • Full time
  • Have salaries
  • Sit alone
• Eligibility of JP

  • Aged 18 - 74
  • willing to take oath of allegiance to the Crown
  • Permanently reside in England and Wales
  • Sit at least 13 full days or 26 half days per year
• JPS - no formal qualifications needed but :

  • Suitable character
  • Have 5 key attributes of to be good magsitrate
• Magistrates

  Sit minimum of 5yrs

  12 - 18 months for the application to reach appointment

  apply by age of 68
• cannot be a magistrate if you have conflict of interest like links to criminal justice system
• People who cant apply:

  1. people with convictions/ banned from driving
  2. police officers and close relatives (spouse, siblings)
  3. Traffic wardens
  4. Members of armed forces (serving)
  5. People declared bankrupt
  6. People with disabilities that cannot carry out all duties of Jps
  7. Work that is incompatible with magistrate ( Working in criminal justice system)
  8. Close relatives of existing jps in same local area
• 5 key attributes

  1. Making fair, impartial and transparent decisions
  2. Understanding and appreciating different perspectives
  3. Communicating with sensitivity and respect
  4. Showing self-awareness and being open to learning
  5. Working and engaging with people professionally
• Selection and appointment

  visit local magistrates court twice to watch proceedings over last 12 months or research how family court works (Family court not public)
• person can be a JP by answering an advert and complete an application form which contains 2 referees. - Sent to local advisory committee.
• Selection - based on merit (qualifications)
• Process of selection

  1. application
  2. Magistrates recruitment qualifying assessment
  3. Interview
• application

  include questions - personal information , eligibility and good character

  2 references given

  Confirm that court visits have taken place
• Magistrates recruitment qualifying assessment

  • candidates potential judicial aptitude - legal knowledge on judicial system
  • Given realistic scenarios