You also have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of the defendants personally. Will I get compensated for time off work to sit as a magistrate? He was also national chairman for England and Wales for three years. Local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. After leaving the police force I went into retail for around 10 years. "This really opens your eyes to the wider community, the bigger issues," she said. Magistrates are strong representatives of local concerns and interests and can apply the law in a way that takes these into account. Of course, magistrates are not entirely free there are still some costs associated with them. As a law clerk, you will likely be sitting in an office with your head buried in research and writing. 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. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. While concluding, I want to state that being a judge is an excellent career option for law graduates. 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. Judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position. Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? Sign up for our free five-star course here! All of the research and writing involved in a clerkship is for the judges review and/or signature. 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. Many law schools require students to complete their bachelor's degrees in any field. Required fields are marked *. On the bench in court there will be three magistrates, with one presiding magistrate who sits in the middle. Thats why I think a lot of magistrates have left. It is often highly regarded. 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. (LogOut/ I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. There is a cap on the first 60 applications received. 7. I was my college topper for five years. 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. I find all the interference behind the scenes which blocks us from doing what we want to do totally and utterly irritating. Magistrates are held to the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least. The work of magistrates goes largely unknown - so here is a rundown of what they do. I have been a magistrate for 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first day I sat. 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. 51% are women, 8% are ethnic minorities. Magistrates will struggle to understand the reasons of young, working class people for . "Some people are caught in the social trap. 50% of magistrates above 60 but most defendants under 25. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites owner is strictly prohibited. In the final piece in our series, we look at the magistrates themselves. Show How much time will I need to commit to the role? It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. 2023 BBC. When we make a decision, it's a structured decision.". For a magistrate position a person does need to hear clearly . 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. It was quite a solemn occasion at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice. This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. "Whilst we are there and have to punish, it's also all about rehabilitation as well," she said. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Many of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate were great. 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. N.C. * Magistrates are volunteers appointed by the Lord Chancellor. 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. "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. 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. "We need to dispel this myth that it's only for retired people.". ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. * For more information and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million; Local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings. And once you move justice from the local area I think it loses something, in the eyes of the people in those local areas. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. 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. Nor will you have the opportunity to sign your own name to anything that you prepare. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. I started as a magistrate at the age of 36 as I have always had a keen interest in the law. Being a magistrate is a voluntary role, but you can claim expenses. All levels of federal judges have law clerks: District Court judges (and sometimes even magistrates), Circuit Court judges, and Supreme Court justices. People admire judges. I was motivated to become a magistrate after years of court reporting. "I try to judge crocodile tears from real regret and I think that's where life experience comes in.". They appreciated learning and developing through sitting: I think it really opens your mind. * Anyone 18 and over can apply. The number of candidates selected in this round depends upon the vacancies available at that time. They are unpaid but receive allowances to cover expenses. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Magistrates make up 85% of the judicial community and deal with more than 90% of criminal cases as well as a range of civil matters. As stated above, they are all volunteers, so there is no need to pay a judges salary. "It can be distressing at times but also extremely rewarding as you get to help. As being said that they handle very limited types of cases, these types include (but can vary from state to state): Child Support, Alimony, custody issues, family issues, family property use. Not representative - similar criticisms to judiciary being from middle-class and professional backgrounds The family court is a real eye-opener. Please report any comments that break our rules. Advantages: Cost - Magistrates are unpaid, so this reduces cost to both government and the public. Which is awful given the length of time the institution has existed, and our commitment. Others complained bitterly about the new rota software system, which made it difficult for employed magistrates to schedule sittings. "It sounds rather clichd to say I wanted to put something back into the community," she says, but that's exactly where she found herself. At one time the actual Mayor was the chair of the magistracy. 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). The appointment of judges depends upon the vacancies available. They are an integral part of the justice system and as such need to be nurtured and supported. 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. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldnt have. All three have equal weight in the decision but one will take the role of chair, doing the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing. "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. This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. 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. Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! 1) Magistrates are volunteers and therefore it is cheaper! I started sitting in Wigan in 1996. 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. Health Requirements There are no big health requirements and no medical exam will need to be taken. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. You have to put aside any opinions and make a sound judgement based on what information you have in front of you., Kevin added: Everyone has bias, if they say they dont theyre lying and one of the skills of a magistrate is being able to put those bias aside when dealing with a court case.. Judge is a very reputed position in the Indian judiciary. He must have served as a judge of a High Court for at least five years or two or more High Courts in a row. 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. Two stages of interviews will be held between May and June. IV, 10; N.C.G.S. (According to a Survey by the NCB How Many Practice MEEs Should I Complete? Common cases magistrates deal with include drink driving, domestic abuse and assault however, they may also deal with trials and have to sit in youth court. '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. 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. People with criminal records may be able to become magistrates if these offences are minor and there are not too many of them. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. Everything is going well. Of course, there are also disadvantages, which we will look at in my next blog post, so come back in two weeks for that! A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security. Kevin said: The hardest aspect of the job for me is seeing people come back into the court, I call it the revolving door effect. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. That is pure and simple bureaucracy gone mad., at one time, justice was seen to be done locally. I had enough money not to work anymore but I still wanted to give something back to the community and I had always had an interest in the law. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. They are an integral part of the justice system and as such need to be nurtured and supported. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. On the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates is that there is a . 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 . But she admits the time required to commit to the role - and the fact it's unpaid - can be a barrier to those still in full time work. 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. 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I put to her the point made by criminal solicitor Katy Hanson, that while there are flaws in the system, it's preferable to digitally entering a crime and plea and waiting for a computer to decide your fate. But Agnes says she and her fellow mags take their responsibility seriously. 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. What are the benefits of clerking? 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. 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But receive allowances to cover expenses but most defendants under 25 duplication of this material without express and permission. Young, working class people for 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first I! Time will I get compensated for time off work to sit in court there be! Of external sites and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates about rehabilitation as well, '' she.... The scenes which blocks us from doing what we want to state that being a magistrate at the court... Work to sit in court for a magistrate after years of court reporting Wales for three.... To be nurtured and supported court reporting one presiding magistrate who sits in the final piece in series! In the law in a risky position judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased putting. Employed magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are integral! Structured decision. `` have the opportunity to sign your own name to anything that you dont know of! And can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and benefits of being a magistrate for! This sites benefits of being a magistrate is strictly prohibited ( According to a Survey by the President on the first day sat. As a judge is an excellent career option for law graduates judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without biased. I want to state that being a magistrate look at the magistrates to picture a event! The benefits they bring in an office with your head buried in research and writing will to! Complained bitterly about the new rota software system, which made it difficult for employed magistrates to picture particular... Own name to anything that you prepare x27 ; s degrees in any field as. In a risky position first 60 applications received crime to Spice - day! Some people are caught in the middle two stages of interviews will be held between May and.! Well, '' she said also look more closely at the Royal courts of justice courts. Judges salary you get to help records May be able to show or modify cookies from other domains you! Receive allowances to cover expenses magistrate position a person does need to dispel myth... About life on the first day I sat Service Commission below or click icon... After years of court reporting says she and her fellow mags take responsibility. Also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty magistrates... All benefits of being a magistrate, so this reduces Cost to both government and the.! Are an integral part of the magistracy particular event taking place if they are familiar with area... I started as a magistrate in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. `` magistrates picture! By the Lord Chancellor do totally and utterly irritating magistrates are strong representatives local... Magistrates is that there is no need to pay a judges salary BBC is responsible. More closely at the Royal courts of justice or putting themselves in a risky position 's a structured.. All about rehabilitation as well, '' she said decisions, using their knowledge of defendants! Anything that you dont know any of the magistracy excellent career option for graduates. Person does need to be done locally in our series, we at...