Magistrates & Juries

Who are magistrates?

- Lay people (who are not legally qualified), in the decision-making process in the Magistrates' Courts.

Qualification?

1. Live or work near local justice area

2. Need common sense, integrity 

3. Disqualified for serious criminal record, bankruptcy or work that is incompatible

Appointment?

- By Lord Chancellor on the recommendation of local advisory committees

*Intention of creating local advisory committees is to create a panel that is representative of all aspects of society. To achieve this magistrates are matched against a mix of occupational, industrial and social groupings as shown the last census.

Training?

Four basic competencies:

1. Personal Development Log of process

2. Mentors and mentored sessions

3. Attend about 7 training sessions

4. Appraisal

Composition of bench:

29000 lay magistrates, 50% men 50% women, over 7% from an ethnic minority, 5% disabled

Work:

1. Summary trials

2, Ancillary matters eh issuing warrants, bail applications

3, Youth court

4. Family court

Who are juries?

- Lay people, in the decision-making process in the Crown Court (Criminal trials on indictment), High Court, Queen's Bench Division (but only certain types of cases), Country Court (for certain types of cases) and Coroners' Courts.