by Trevor Grove
Published September, 2003
Bloomsbury
Paperback
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Possibly one of the most frequently asked questions has been "how do I become a magistrate".
In my particular case it was due to a particularly large life change. I had changed occupation, and in doing so had more time on my hands. I was actually looking for a charity based job, using any of the skills that I may have possessed. At this time I saw a programme on television involving a magistrates Court and I wondered why there were three judges sitting in the magistrates Court. An easy mistake to make!
After making some enquiries with friends and relations I was still no nearer to understanding who presided in the magistrates Court. A chance visit to the local library gave me the opportunity to look it up. It was a complete surprise, as it is to most people, that lay people (almost anyone) can sit as a magistrates. It appeared from my reading that a legal training was almost a disadvantage. Police personel and their immediate family would not be considered as a magistrate, the same as anybody who worked within the police environment. Nor would anyone with a criminal background, this doesn't mean that if you have had a few parking tickets you shouldn't apply.
As I am now, and have been for the past five years a justice of the peace. You will realise that I took the first step. That first step is to telephone your local magistrates Court, it is as easy is that! Within a fortnight I received an application form, and what a form that was. It's enormous. It asks you everything, not quite including your inside leg measurement. The size of the form nearly stopped me continuing and took me between two to three weeks to gather the information and fill in the form.
There were a few bits I found difficult. For instance, who would I get the best references from, and, should I put down every parking ticket/traffic offence that I'd ever had. I found the decision about references was a lot easier than my offence count. I contacted the three acquaintances of mine that I felt had the highest esteem in the local community. I told them what I wanted to do and fortunately all of them wanted to help. I did have a bit of a problem with traffic offences, and I did consider telling a little fib. In the end, and in hindsight, I did the right thing and gave the dates of my two speeding offences plus parking tickets. I now know that seriously in-depth checks are made on all your answers. No big surprise really!
After sending off the form I eagerly awaited a response. Well, ages later, when I thought they had forgotten me they sent me a further application form. This form although not as long as the first was still more comprehensive than your average job application. There was then a similar wait as before, I then received a date for a preliminary interview. After this I was required to familiarise myself in the magistrates Court by visiting my local Court a number of times. I finally had to attend one last interview (the toughest) before hearing the good news.
From my conversations with other people I think I was quite lucky as the whole process only took about a year. Others that I have spoken to have said that it can take around eighteen months. Also you must take into account that my experiences may not be the same as yours as different regions of the country use differing systems of the selection process. There is then the most frustrating of problems, you get your decision. It may be a rejection. I personally know a man who went through the selection process five times. What you have to understand is that a rejection is not any sort of slur on your character. It can simply mean that on the bench that you would be joining there are too many people that match your profile. This could be gender, political, occupation or ethnic group etc. The fact is that the Lord Chancellor is under an obligation to reflect on each bench a genuine cross section of the local community. Thats fair isnt it. But if you are the one it effects it can be very frustrating, but you mustnt let it put you off if you really do have the desire.
In my case, it's one of the best things that I have ever done. Not only do I feel that I am helping the community, it also gives me a more than academic interest in the community. If you are doing the job correctly it will take up a lot of your free time. Not only the sittings but also the training and the tremendous amount of reading material. But it is worthwhile and I would highly recommend your participation.
All the above is written in my own words as a layman, if you want a more formal account go to the following link.
The Magistrates Association
And or read to following books
Becoming a Magistrate Megan Harrison; Paperback
Anthony and Berryman's Magistrate Court Guide: 2002 Karen Jones; Paperback
The Work of a Magistrate Alan J. Maddox LLB; Paperback