Magistrates

There are local courts in almost all towns’, with big cities have several. These Magistrate Courts deal with the vast majority of criminal cases, (approximately 96%). It is perhaps, surprising to realise that apart from about 80 or so qualified magistrates, all the people who sit to hear cases in the Magistrates Courts are ordinary, non-legally qualified people.

Another name for lay magistrates is lay Justices or Justices of the Peace. Since they are not qualified they do not usually make decisions on their own but sit as a bench that is a minimum of two up to a maximum of 7.

The Lord Chancellor appoints all members of the Judiciary and is keen to widen the type of people sitting as magistrates.

Magistrates must be of good character and have personal integrity, they should have common sense and the ability to weigh evidence and reach reasoned decisions. Magistrates must live or work in the area and need to have good knowledge and understanding of the local community. They need to be firm yet compassionate and be able to work as a member of a team.