AO1 - Qualification of Magistrates

• Lay magistrates must be aged between 18-70, they are not appointed past 65
• Magistrates must live or work in the local justice area
• They do not have to have any qualifications in law but they do have to have certain attributes - these are called the six key qualities
• Six key qualities:

  1. Good character
  2. Understanding and communication
  3. Social awareness
  4. Maturity and sound temperament
  5. Sound judgement
  6. Commitment and reliability
• Magistrates must be able to assimilate factual information and make a reasoned decision, and must be able to work as a team
• Magistrates must be committed to 26 half days per year or 13 full days per year
• People cannot become magistrates if they:

  • have serious convictions
  • are bankrupt
  • work in the forces, e.g. police
• Close relatives cannot be appointed on the same bench as magistrates