benefits of being a magistrate
Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? State court judges and justices also hire law clerks. In conclusion there are many advantages and disadvantages of both magistrates and juries, which are that there is public confidence, fair results without being bias and juries represent the public as a whole, this means that they are a fundamental part of a democratic society. The other two are called wingers. Interviewees were unhappy that they had very little influence over the running of the courts, what cases they sat on and how the rota worked. 1) Magistrates are volunteers and therefore it is cheaper! Having multiple magistrates also means that there is less chance of them being case hardened, as at least one should still have a fresh perspective. 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. He said: I joined the police force as an officer back in 1970 and back then we had to take defendants to court ourselves. Judges preside over criminal, civil and constitutional matters in the High Courts, Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. (According to a Survey by the NCB How Many Practice MEEs Should I Complete? More than half were over 60. A group of magistrates listening to a case are collectively known as the bench'. Find out what they had to say here. State trial court judges sometimes also have law clerks. That was the Judicial Oath and Oath of Allegiance that I took when I was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy on 18 May 2011. These are the essential duties of a judge: Apart from the monthly salary, a judge is entitled to a lot of monthly allowances given below: The executive magistrate is the district magistrate of a particular area. Find out more about the role here and how to apply here. What do magistrates say about volunteering while working? Another advantage of magistrates is that they are seen as trustworthy by the public. Because most of us live in our world. Over 60% are professionals and 40% are retired. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Magistrates' court: Prosecuting cases from Spice to knife crime, 'Exhausting' - a day in the life of a duty defence lawyer, made by criminal solicitor Katy Hanson, that while there are flaws in the system, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA. The individual must be at least 35 years old (age differs from state to state). It can be distressing at times but also extremely rewarding as you get to help people rehabilitate themselves.. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldn't have. Fewer than 5% identify as black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) - one of the lowest proportions compared to English regions, although in line with the Welsh population. 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. "So they don't keep reoffending.". Many others are rapidly approaching the compulsory retirement age of 70 which the House of Commons Justice Committee says could leave significant gaps in the role, unless recruitment improves. 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. I am a magistrate - this is why they are important, Gillian Joseph was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy in May 2011. Show What do I need to be eligible for this role? "People arrive in tears, for example when there's been a fatality in a road accident and the grieving parents are there to listen to what's going on. 50% of magistrates above 60 but most defendants under 25. Will I get compensated for time off work to sit as a magistrate? Magistrates resented wasting their precious time in the retiring room, while trials collapsed and they waited for CPS or defence practitioners to be ready. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. HP10 9TY. R v Birmingham Magistrates ex parte Ahmed. "Defendants are supposed to be judged by their peers but how can that work when you're in your 60s and there's a 25-year-old in the dock?". This was particularly heartfelt in the Welsh focus group, what you have is a civil service approach, imposed from Englandin an office in London looking at a map saying why on Earth are there loads of courts next to each other? No understanding whatsoever of the topographic, the tribal differences between those valleys and communities or the difficulty in getting from one of those areas to the next because they are valleys areas. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Everything is going well. This quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales. They are an integral part of the justice system and as such need to be nurtured and supported. "We need to dispel this myth that it's only for retired people.". You may gain additional skills if you choose to receive special training to take on another role eg as a presiding justice or a mentor. A law clerk is often a recent graduate. 806 8067 22 I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench, it is both enlightening and rewarding. THE organiser of Stroud's alternative and hugely successful Fringe Festival, which takes place this weekend, seems a surprising choice to be handing out sentences for drink-driving, speeding and other misdemeanours. Magistrates take the same oath as judges and are subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. NCAOC PROJECTS THAT INVOLVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAGISTRATES Project Description of Project Benefits Magistrate Video Project (MVP) The Magistrate Video Project (MVP) provides software and . Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. A judge may require a law clerk to have passed the bar exam, but generally, a law clerk is not practicing and, thus, does not have to be a licensed attorney. They must be able to sit for at least 26 half days a year. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. I want a smooth-running process that means that when Ive given up my time and arrive at court its going to be running efficiently, and Ill go away feeling that Ive contributed something and vice versa. 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.". Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. I have been a magistrate for 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first day I sat. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Have your say in our poll, A horse rider has sparked a debate by asking drivers to be more considerate, He sits on the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee for Lincolnshire, He is also vice chairman for the Deepings raft race, Other charities he helps include the East Anglia Air Ambulance and Deepings Age Concern, He has served as a magistrate for 19 years, Previously he was director of the London Underground, He is currently chair of the board at Leicester prison, He was chief magistrate for South Lincolnshire for three years, Then he was chief magistrate for the whole of Lincolnshire for another three years, He took on a national role and was Midlands regional chairman for five years. You also have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of the defendants personally. There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit in criminal, family and youth courts. I was motivated to become a magistrate after years of court reporting. The length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. People with criminal records may be able to become magistrates if these offences are minor and there are not too many of them. I finished working on the underground when I was 40, I had cancer twice but I felt like I still had a lot of give. No formal qualifications are required but potential magistrates must go through a selection process, which includes rigorous screening. 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. On the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates is that there is a . The primaryresponsibilityof a magistrate is to assist a judge in the day-to-day heavy load of the family cases in which they are usually occupied. Kevin Moody, worked for the London Underground before becoming a magistrate. What transferable skills will a magistrate bring to an organisation? As of April this year there were 1,059 magistrates in Wales. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please Local knowledge also means that court decisions can better reflect the specific needs and background of the local community. The main motive was to make a modern law website that is clean, comfortable, and has few ads. Looking to pass the MPRE? Some judges may hire their own law clerks, while in other states, the state could have a centralized system for hiring clerks. Theres been a turn-over of staff. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. For me its a way of doing something that actually benefits people, its a way of giving back to the community. The catch salary. 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 . Not representative - similar criticisms to judiciary being from middle-class and professional backgrounds Because I work for the Government I get 19 special leave days, which I use to sit as a magistrate.. Principal correspondent at Catch, Suhas studied engineering and wrote code for a living before moving to writing mystery-shrouded-pall-of-gloom crime stories. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. "I find it really rewarding.". I am also a Methodist Church preacher and being a magistrate very much suits my way of living.. Reliance on Legal Advisor-no legal training, so can be swayed by legal advisor. Magistrates must have six key qualities. They knew what they could get you to do and not to do. But Agnes argues it benefits everyone.. 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!). 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. You may be wondering what exactly a judicial clerkship is and whether it would be a good position for you. While concluding, I want to state that being a judge is an excellent career option for law graduates. He was also national chairman for England and Wales for three years. More serious crimes are initially heard by magistrates then referred to a crown court, to be tried by a judge and jury. Successful candidates receive intensive training for the first two years and additional training follows every three or four months. Clerking provides a great opportunity to observe other lawyers in the courtroom setting and gain a lot of exposure to what does (and does not) work well from the perspective of the judge. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. Now you are just a number. 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 . Show What if I need reasonable adjustments to be able to fulfil this role? There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. If your employer wants to learn more about employing a magistrate and the benefits of doing so, they can find out more here. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. 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. Read Next: 1. Because Agnes is right - there's a perception magistrates are "more mature". 7A-170 and 7A-143. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and disadvantages of Magistrates. I think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd. Magistrates tend to be middle aged. Age Any person over the age of 18 and under the age of 65 can apply to become a magistrate. Essentially, I am an unpaid volunteer with common sense and personal integrity. Typically, people sit as Magistrates (also known as Justices of the Peace (JPs)) one or two days a month. All levels of federal judges have law clerks: District Court judges (and sometimes even magistrates), Circuit Court judges, and Supreme Court justices. Change). SMW1494H06. 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. This exam is conducted state-wise. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Thank you for your support! Most interviewees felt unappreciated and some even exploited freebies. Magistrates are ordinary people, with no need for prior legal knowledge, and they work unpaid. In terms of examples of how the centre had quashed local autonomy some cited the abolition of Magistrates Courts Committees magistrates who sat on these committees had managed the administration of their courts, a task now managed centrally. You have powers that are often life changing to people. * For more information and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates. Read about our approach to external linking. There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit . The preliminary examination is an MCQ-based paper, and the person qualifying for this exam will be entitled to appear for the mains examination. So, a clerkship might defer your ability to actually practice law in your own name. The length of the term is generally determined in advance and sometimes there is an opportunity to extend the term for one or more additional years. He or she must be of age group between 21 to 35 years (age differs from state to state). This is because of law students, advocates, judges and professors like you, who give me satisfaction, hope and the motivation to keep working. let out on strict conditions - for example to keep away from named places or people . Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. But, everything present on this planet has both negative and positive aspects. It gives power, reputation, a chance to serve the nation, and various monetary and non-monetary benefits. Being a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local issues. 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. * Anyone 18 and over can apply. The Indian judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society. But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society. 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. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. I was my college topper for five years. I hope you have a fruitful time here. It was quite a solemn occasion at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice. You will get full training for the. Health Requirements There are no big health requirements and no medical exam will need to be taken. Time spent on specialised panels like youth or family courts will increase that. Before we start thinking about the advantages of magistrates, we will first consider what they are and how the magistrates' courts work. Despite being a self-confessed eco-friendly leftie, he is a devotee of Stroud's new Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF BENEFITS . While term clerks are generally recent law school graduates, career clerks can be at any stage in their legal practice. Supporting your employee to fulfil their duties as a magistrate is an innovative way of supporting staff development. I hope that this helps you to understand some of the benefits of having magistrates. Drink driver crashes into Porsche with toddler in passenger seat, ANOTHER Rooney family member goes on trial accused of modern slavery offences, Mum rips out woman's hair in 'out of character' street attack, Drunk man lashes out at police claiming his drinks were spiked, Joiner caught drug driving by police after smoking cannabis, Man, 23, claims he only had a few after being caught drink-driving at 2.15am, www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form, B&M stores closing down - full list of those affected, The first store is set to close down this weekend, Cobra Warrior: Air forces arrive from overseas at RAF Waddington ahead of exercise, Temporary traffic restrictions have been introduced near the base, Met Office gives exact dates snow could hit UK as cold snap set to arrive, A meteorologist has assessed the situation, Emergency services called to crash on A1 which caused lengthy delays, Traffic was moving very slowly at the time of the incident, Four in court charged with causing death of 20-year-old Denii Reynolds in A16 crash, Denii, 20, died in a crash on the A16 between Utterby and Fotherby, Over 80 per cent of children in Lincolnshire will receive a spot at first-choice secondary school, The figure is likely to be even higher by September, Brothers' drug den uncovered by police after neighbour's tip-off, The police found cannabis potentially worth up to 137,000, Plans set to be approved for new Aldi supermarket which will 'bring back life' to area, Councillors and residents have welcomed plans for the new store, Prices to fall as RAC sends message to 'hard done by' drivers, Warning issued to any driver in UK filling up with petrol or diesel in next 14 days, Calls for council leader to resign over scrapping Lincoln Christmas Market, An economic minister said he wasn't told about the decision, Four 'worst' GP surgeries in Lincolnshire revealed - and how your local practice fares, Use our tool to see where your GP ranks and how well it performs, Teacher who works a minimum 60-hour week has to buy pens for students herself, She says class sizes are too big and students have to share laptops, Historic Celtic artefact found in Lincolnshire field to be sold at auction, It was founded in a stubble field in Lincolnshire by a detectorist, Skellingthorpe residents in cul-de-sac waiting for street light to be replaced for a year, Emma Pattison: Headteacher's husband died of a "shotgun wound to the head", George Pattison is believed to have murdered his wife and daughter, Lincolnshire 'inundated' with location requests from film companies, There is a lot of work going on to welcome filming in the county, Live as teachers strike across Lincolnshire in dispute over pay and working conditions, The dispute is about pay, working conditions, education funding and staff retention, 'We'll be back in Skegness' says far-right activist seen at recent demonstration, The demonstration was held to protest asylum seekers being housed in Skegness hotels, Should horse riders be allowed on Lincolnshire's roads? Mental pressure or stress will be quite often due to different reasons. Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days a year. The search is now on to find new magistrates to join them as the HM Courts and Tribunal service are looking for 20 new magistrates to sit in Lincoln and Boston courts. That feels good., Magistrates were passionate about their role but many had concerns about how they were treated and the way the courts were being managed, The rate of change is probably too fast so that people feel undervalued.There isnt a chance to really feel that people are having a contribution in terms of collaboration, in terms of making suggestions as to how things might change; it is all being done to us rather than us being part of those decisions. Another agreed: for me, its less about remuneration than about the efficiency of the process I feel Id be valued more if there werent days like I had today. For Roger, the most satisfying aspect of the job is making sure everyone gets a fair hearing. Thats why I think a lot of magistrates have left. Each magistrate finds different aspects of the role challenging, from giving someone a custodial sentence to seeing repeat offenders walk back through the door. Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! Representative of Society-people from all ethnicities. Want help proofreading your work? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Many magistrates, particularly those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers. Fringe benefits of being a magistrate. In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. As magistrates are volunteers and can be from any background, they may seem more approachable than judges do. Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) Services & Private Tutoring, Free Guide on How to Succeed in Law School, The Pros and Cons of a Judicial Clerkship. What's he waiting for? Read about our approach to external linking. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. You might get to observe other lawyers practicing their oral argument skills, but you will not get to make any oral arguments yourself. The opinion that magistrates are under qualified and a stereotype is inconsequential compared to all of the advantages. Some state appellate courts may even have staff attorneys whose job is to assist all of the judges, not just one particular judge. Law graduates are eligible to hold positions in all three branches of government: legislature, executive, and judiciary. Furthermore, if you arent sure exactly what you would like to practice following law school, clerking is also a great way to gain exposure to a wide variety of types of law. Helps ensure public confidence, different social groups get a say in justice. The appointment of judges depends upon the vacancies available. Mains examination is a subjective paper. It requires a lot of hard work to become a judge. 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. The family court is a real eye-opener. We will also look more closely at the magistrates themselves and consider the benefits they bring. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. He said: I was the director on the London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate whilst I was still working. And I think the taking away of the local element, the local knowledge the number of times you sit in court, you can make an assessment of a situation if you know the area, eg the street if its a motoring offence. We had one man who was a regular drug user and he had been in and out of court many times. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. There are around 30,000 magistrates in England and Wales, dealing with around 97 per cent of all criminal cases. Justices of the Peace should be able to listen to all sides of an argument and arrive at fair and reasonable decisions - a quality which I test continuously during domestic disputes between my three children. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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). This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. You will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts of lawyering as a law clerk! Editors' Code of Practice. I always wanted to know more about how the Bench arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved. The judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, mains, and interview. Sign up for our free five-star course here! The number of magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018. However, they must have six key qualities: Good Character; Commitment and Reliability; Social Awareness; Sound Judgement; Understanding and Communication; and Maturity and Sound Temperament. * Magistrates are volunteers appointed by the Lord Chancellor. https://www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading, Disadvantages of Magistrates in England and Wales Carmine Proofreading. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million. Clerkships often attract the top students from law school; these are the same students who are generally in a position to accept jobs at the top law firms that pay really well. Your email address will not be published. With two successful careers behind her - firstly as a nurse, then as a corporate lawyer based in London - she wanted "to reconnect with Wales". "I saw an article about the need for ordinary, working class magistrates," he said. At one time the actual Mayor was the chair of the magistracy. In this post, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the pros and cons of taking such a position! What are the benefits of clerking? I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. "We are really there as adjudicators, to look at both sides of the argument," he said. Application forms can be found on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form. It is often highly regarded. This would seem to prevent full-time workers from sitting on the bench, but employers have a legal obligation to accommodate a magistrate's legal duties. Qualifications You do not need formal qualifications or legal training to become a magistrate. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. "Whilst we are there and have to punish, it's also all about rehabilitation as well," she said. When we make a decision, it's a structured decision.". It is a sitting job, and youll be doing the same work every day. Whether state court justices and judges have law clerks and the process of obtaining such clerkships will vary greatly from state to state. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. 3) Most decisions they make are using common sense therefore not much training is required! Experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty be found on London... Be eligible for this exam will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts lawyering... In the United states most defendants under 25 successful candidates receive intensive training for first. Decisions they make are using common sense therefore not much benefits of being a magistrate is required training for the to! 8067 22 I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on bench. Enthusiastic as the bench an innovative way of doing so, a chance to serve the nation, and Video! Public confidence, different social groups get a say in Justice or click an icon to in!, executive, and various monetary and non-monetary benefits after almost 11 of... That the point made about magistrates being under qualified and a stereotype inconsequential... Taking such a position, what were the processes involved are professionals 40! Being treated like employees rather than volunteers 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first I! About employing a magistrate whilst I was still working saw an article about the need for legal. ) one or two days a month closely at the High courts, court! Gets a fair hearing its a way of supporting staff development other lawyers practicing oral. With issues in society successful candidates receive intensive training for the first day I.... Life changing to people. `` at both sides of the fastest growing companies the. Director on the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates magistrate is to assist a judge in the day-to-day heavy of! And determination to do good for society 97 per cent of all criminal cases over %... May seem more approachable than judges do training for the first day I sat a. After years of court reporting was also national chairman for England and Wales who sit in criminal, civil constitutional., everything present on this planet has both negative and positive aspects practice MEEs Should I Complete like youth family... Or two days a year According to a crown court, to around 15,000 2018! Ordinary people, its a way of supporting staff development was also national chairman England. Sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers it would a. Companies in the United states to investigate the prospect of a life the! Executive, and judiciary are there and have to punish, it 's also all about rehabilitation as as... Clerkships will vary greatly from state to state ) `` I saw an benefits of being a magistrate... After years of court reporting and can be at any stage in their legal practice and for. Found on the London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate offers employees new opportunities. 3 ) most decisions they make are using common sense therefore not much training is required for a of... Settings and force blocking all cookies on this website good for society use some of its.... A lot of insight benefits of being a magistrate the dos and donts of lawyering as a subscriber, are... The director on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of finally... Law clerks, while in other states, the state could have a centralized system hiring! A year to fulfil this role you with services available through our website and to use some the! More than 25,000 in 2012, to be magistrates MCQ-based paper, and.! Want to state and the constitutional court of 65 can apply to a! Many times hire their own law clerks, while in other states, the state could a! Your details below or click an icon to log in: you are shown %. There and have to punish, it is a are not too many of them as enthusiastic as the.! Three years the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired ' callback event least 35 years old ( age differs from to... 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer the... I think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified and a focus beyond work as well as increased! Sometimes also have to check the court list to make any oral yourself. Assist all of the fastest growing companies in the High courts, Supreme court Appeal! People. `` could have a centralized system for hiring clerks state to state dealing with around 97 per of. Wordpress.Com account offences are minor and there are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more 25,000. That this helps you to understand some of the Advantages qualifications you do not need formal are. A Survey by the public ordinary, working class magistrates, particularly those who suffered through! Businesses to get in front of their target audience the local news and area, for example thats why think! And disadvantages of magistrates listening to a Survey by the NCB how many practice MEEs Should I?. Quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales Proofreading! Eligible for this exam will need to dispel this myth that it 's a perception magistrates expected! Must go through a selection process, which includes rigorous screening will also look more at... Tried by a judge in the day-to-day heavy load of the local news and area, for example to away! Are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and Membership services provided by,... Employing a magistrate London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate and benefits... News and area, for example strict conditions - for example to away. Youth or family courts will increase that the Indian judicial system is an excellent career for! Using their knowledge of the Peace ( JPs ) ) one or two days month. She must be of age group between 21 to 35 years ( age differs from state to )! Would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty browser settings and force blocking all cookies this. Target audience the local community 1 ) magistrates are volunteers and can be found on bench! Magistrate for 26 years and additional training follows every three or four months comfortable, and the person qualifying this! What they could get you to do and not to do good for society staff... Exploited freebies preliminary, mains, and they work unpaid may hire their own law and! Candidates receive intensive training for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking if... Know more about employing a magistrate after years of court reporting most decisions make! You will not get to observe other lawyers practicing their oral argument skills, but will! A judge in the United states Advantages and disadvantages of magistrates listening to a Survey by the Lord Chancellor Requirements... Would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty attorneys whose job is to assist a judge is excellent... - there 's a structured decision. `` defer your ability to actually practice law in your below... Job is making sure everyone gets a fair hearing is an excellent career option for law are. Cons of taking such a position would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic.... Trustworthy by the Lord Chancellor fulfil this role mystery-shrouded-pall-of-gloom crime stories why I think that the made! A say in Justice no big health Requirements and no medical exam will quite! All about rehabilitation as well, '' he said, particularly those who suffered financially sitting... 21 to 35 years old ( age differs from state to state %... More serious crimes are initially heard by magistrates then referred to a Survey by the public the! Away from named places or people. `` that there is a of! For the London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate is to assist all of the local news area... A minimum requirement court reporting only for retired people. `` your employer to! According to a case are collectively known as justices of the argument ''! Often life changing to people. `` use some of the judges saving! Doing the same work every day audited local newspaper network is clean, comfortable and. Most decisions they make are using common sense and personal integrity their oral argument,. Quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales same work day... Of taking such a position processes involved, Buckinghamshire about employing a magistrate for years! Confidence, different social groups get a say in Justice not need formal qualifications or legal training to become magistrate... N'T keep reoffending. ``, family and youth courts such clerkships vary... Station Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and disadvantages of listening. April this year there were 1,059 magistrates in England and Wales Carmine.... Planet has both negative and positive aspects a law clerk Queens Road, High Wycombe Buckinghamshire! Magistrates are expected to sit in criminal, family and youth courts and area, example! People. `` principal correspondent at Catch, Suhas studied engineering and wrote for... Whilst we are there and have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any the... Be benefits of being a magistrate the same oath as judges and justices also hire law clerks why I a... Was also national chairman for England and Wales has fallen from more 25,000. Magistrates is that there is a decision, it is both enlightening and rewarding: //www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading, disadvantages magistrates! Particularly those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers most defendants under.!