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. 806 8067 22 A judge must determine the guilt or innocence of criminal defendants in criminal court and impose punishments on those found guilty. Magistrate Courts hear about 95% of criminal cases along with some civil matters and full training is provided. Why did you decide to become a magistrate? They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. It gives the young generation a wide range of opportunities to get involved in this system and contribute to the best possible service to the country. Your email address will not be published. The family court is a real eye-opener. 3) Most decisions they make are using common sense therefore not much training is required! 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. I am given 18 days a year sitting in court and my employers are really good with giving me the relevant time off. Earn your bachelor's degree. A few months later I saw him working in Asda. The Indian judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society. 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. Without magistrates, many more judges would be needed to cover the roles that magistrates fill. Local knowledge also means that court decisions can better reflect the specific needs and background of the local community. Not representative - similar criticisms to judiciary being from middle-class and professional backgrounds 2) Magistrates have knowledge of their local area which they work in so can relate to problems! Now you are just a number. "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. Over 60% are professionals and 40% are retired. While term clerks are generally recent law school graduates, career clerks can be at any stage in their legal practice. In a survey 2000 +2001, people said they would not lessen magistrates role. contact the editor here. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. There are three to four papers in this exam, and the candidates selected in this exam shall be called for an interview round. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Moreover, another disadvantage is that lay magistrates tend to be 'middle-class and middle-minded.'. Many felt that they enjoyed no real support from central government and that government appear to us lot to really want to see the end of the lay magistracy. Magistrates must have six key qualities. "Usually it's done as a last resort," he said. The judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, mains, and interview. Magistrates decide if the defendant should be: kept in custody - for example in a police or court cell. Some offences, like theft and fraud, are considered either/or' offences and can be dealt with by magistrates or a judge, depending on their seriousness. "I think more young people should become involved," he said. I have also sat as the chairman of the board at Leicester Prison for the past 14 years. 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. Application forms can be found on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form. For at least seven years, the person must be an advocate. Agnes Xavier-Phillips was a corporate lawyer who started her career in nursing, Ms Xavier-Phillips says magistrates have got to be representative "in more than one sense", Three magistrates sit on the bench during court cases, You still have to look through each offence, and we have to think 'how can we help them', rather than putting them through some sausage machine, Magistrates are supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor. Check out our bar exam courses here they are on sale for a limited time! 216066). Ministry of Justice: Who can be a magistrate? We had one man who was a regular drug user and he had been in and out of court many times. Let us discuss whether becoming a judge will be a fruitful career for you or not. "Trying to put something through an algorithm won't work," she said. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. "It's all well and good saying we must have more representation, but people must put themselves forward.". But Agnes argues it benefits everyone.. Magistrates are strong representatives of local concerns and interests and can apply the law in a way that takes these into account. In the final piece in our series, we look at the magistrates themselves. At one time the actual Mayor was the chair of the magistracy. Read about our approach to external linking. To read 1 law content daily, message LAW on WhatsApp: 9128523662. 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. R v Bingham ex parte Jowitt, one word mans word against police and magistrates sided with the police. 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. He shall be a respected jurist, according to the Indian president. 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. There was also great unhappiness at the perceived encroachment by police into work that should rightfully be done by magistrates. Those interested should submit their applications form between March 26 and April 23. 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. I was motivated to become a magistrate after years of court reporting. It can be distressing at times but also extremely rewarding as you get to help people rehabilitate themselves.. "So they don't keep reoffending.". Change). "You listen to both sides, evaluate it, analyse the facts, plus you have the sentencing guidelines, which you apply to the circumstances.". A judge must hear both the parties (prosecution and defence). Cost-Magistrates are unpaid, but judges earn 90,000. A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and disadvantages of Magistrates. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Time spent on specialised panels like youth or family courts will increase that. Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit . There are many advantages of magistrates and being able to discuss these in your work can help you with essay questions. 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. AIJS exam is a step in which the exam for the recruitment process of additional judges and district judges will be held on the central level. If the defendant is found guilty, magistrates can impose a maximum of six months' imprisonment and up to 5,000 in fines, community penalties and compensation. We find this increasingly difficult to accept. But, everything present on this planet has both negative and positive aspects. 50% of magistrates above 60 but most defendants under 25. They're also supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor, who can give them advice on points of law. Public confidence- Like everyone else, and have life experiences. It is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very reputed position. You will love them. Another advantage of magistrates is that they are seen as trustworthy by the public. (LogOut/ Being a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local issues. Due to this reason, it is rightly said that a law degree can open the door to a wide range of careers that other degrees may not. They are an integral part of the justice system and as such need to be nurtured and supported. For ABH 21% of defendants were found guilty but in Essex it was 77%, Case Hardened-May judge defendants on a case before. And it trains you to think logically, (being a magistrate) has opened my eyes to the way different people live their lives; everybody lives their lives differently; and you see everybody at their worst and at their best, and in the middle. Two stages of interviews will be held between May and June. Advantages? What transferable skills will a magistrate bring to an organisation? Despite being a self-confessed eco-friendly leftie, he is a devotee of Stroud's new Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion. "I think there's been an increase in women and different ethnicities, which is all very positive," she said. There is a cap on the first 60 applications received. Supporting your employee to fulfil their duties as a magistrate is an innovative way of supporting staff development. let out on strict conditions - for example to keep away from named places or people . This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. After watching the magistrates in action I always used to think to myself that I wanted to do that someday, and it was always an ambition of mine. 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. We are the least celebrated in fact I think were the pariahs of the volunteering services in this country.. The length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor. "For me it's a way of doing something that actually benefits people, it's a way of giving back to the community. For a magistrate position a person does need to hear clearly . After this, they will start to hear cases, sitting in benches of three. Being a great magistrate requires advanced knowledge of state and federal laws, which you can gain through proper education, training and experience. DeSantis won't say he's running. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Also, if you dont have a job lined up immediately after law school, clerking for a judge can be a great way to network with other attorneys (and the judge for whom you are working could be willing to introduce you to the legal community) and explore possible career opportunities. 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. I am a magistrate - this is why they are important, Gillian Joseph was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy in May 2011. And I think that value has certainly been eroded. Thats all changed. Registered Charity (No. Best Answer Writing Tips for Law Exams 2. Find out about how being a magistrate can benefit you as an employee. This interference means the lack of influence of magistrates as a body; the magistracy is being run by the civil service. Its the little wins that really make it worth it, says Kevin Moody. "My wife said, go on, you could do that' and off I went.". 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. Affected parties can challenge judgments only in higher courts. They might beg to differ as to whether the judgments are always fair but my training means that I do always listen to all sides, at least. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Our most POPULAR and highly rated bar exam resources are: We also have several additional MBE, MEE, and MPT products available. That feels good." Menu Take Law MCQ Tests Publish Your Article Please Support Pay WhatsApp: 9128523662, 2018-2023 About Us Contact Us Disclaimer Cookies Copyright and Privacy Policy Sitemap, If you are a regular reader, please consider buying the Law PDFs and MCQ Tests. Because I work for the Government I get 19 special leave days, which I use to sit as a magistrate.. But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society. The application process for federal clerkships is handled through a website called OSCAR. People admire judges. Benefits of being a judicial magistrate:- 1- Judges are impartial decision makers in the pursuit of justice. 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. Still, on the other hand, this profession requires a lot of hard work and dedication, from preparing for the judicial examination to becoming a judge. You have powers that are often life changing to people. Lincolnshire Live spent a day in the life of a magistrate at Lincoln Magistrates Court with David Milner-Scudder who has served as a magistrate for 14 years, Kevin Moody who been a magistrate for 19 years and Julie, who has served the longest for 21 years. He or she must have previously worked in a judicial capacity in India for at least ten years. In doing so they both give back to the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development. ", For that reason, she is passionate about encouraging more people to put themselves forward. More serious crimes are initially heard by magistrates then referred to a crown court, to be tried by a judge and jury. 4) They have a legal adviser to educate them with the current law Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million. Completed applications should be sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam@justice.gov.uk . The stats do little to dispel that. For me its a way of doing something that actually benefits people, its a way of giving back to the community. "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. Most of us will hope never to set foot in one, but thousands end up appearing in court each year. I always wanted to know more about how the Bench arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved. They make up 85% of the judiciary, so you can see from this how crucial they are to the legal system. "We need to dispel this myth that it's only for retired people.". What are Magistrates? If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can When you were in your individual courts they all knew you, your personality, your reliability. In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. The jury system uses a specific group size to help reduce bias. In March 2018, I startedWritingLaw.com. Please report any comments that break our rules. He was also national chairman for England and Wales for three years. But even in the face of strong emotions, the ability to remain objective is essential. That is pure and simple bureaucracy gone mad., at one time, justice was seen to be done locally. Want help proofreading your work? By continuing to use this site you are giving consent to cookies being used. For example, magistrates can claim expenses on things such as travel. A Gannett Company. Looking to pass the MPRE? We will also look more closely at the magistrates themselves and consider the benefits they bring. Magistrates might not hear cases as quickly as an experienced judge and three magistrates are needed to hear every case, rather than one judge. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to All three have equal weight in the decision but one will take the role of chair, doing the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing. Judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. * For more information and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates. In the Governments view, a properly framed All India Judicial Service will significantly strengthen the overall justice delivery system. Must See: How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam. More available than judges as no training is required. And once you move justice from the local area I think it loses something, in the eyes of the people in those local areas. It is a sitting job, and youll be doing the same work every day. Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days a year. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF BENEFITS . 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. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. 3- Judges have practically unlimited power to make things better.. No doubt, judges can make a life changing differences in many cases. ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. 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. As I said the words I did feel a sense of responsibility and duty to carry out my role to the best of my capabilities. 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. Many of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate were great. THE organiser of Stroud's alternative and hugely . Thank you for your support! 806 8067 22, Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and Disadvantages of Magistrates, Lay magistrates advantages and disadvantages, Advantages and Disadvantages of Lay people, Advantages & Disadvantages of Magistrates, Advantages and Disadvantages of Trial in the Crown Court, See all The Criminal courts and lay people resources , AQA Law Unit 1 Predictions (17th May PM) , Unofficial mark scheme for aqa as law unit 1 , AQA Law Unit 1 (FRI 23/05/14) - Exam Revision , AQA Law - Friday 23rd June 2014 Unit 1 Exam , Cost-Magistrates are unpaid, but judges earn 90,000. 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. He or she must have experience working as an advocate in two or more such courts consecutively for the period of at least 10 years. In NYC small firm, ex big law folks, no billable hours, niche practice area, appearance of forwarded thinking firm, remote till who knows when, emphasis on pro bono initiatives and building book of business. 1000 more judges would be required. For example if you have contact with them through work or if they are a neighbour as that would lead to a conflict of interest. My name is Ankur. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. At 11 o-clock I was shopping because we were sent home. 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). 2023 BBC. You can check these in your browser security settings. If your employer wants to learn more about employing a magistrate and the benefits of doing so, they can find out more here. It was quite a solemn occasion at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice. * Employers are obliged to give magistrates time off work under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and if they choose not to pay them the state will refund their earnings. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. "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. Magistrates don't reflect the social makeup of Britain. There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit in criminal, family and youth courts. Named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. 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.". 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. Health Requirements There are no big health requirements and no medical exam will need to be taken. They must be able to sit for at least 26 half days a year. 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. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The process of obtaining a state court clerkship is less formal (and often slightly less competitive) than the process for obtaining a federal clerkship. In this post, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the pros and cons of taking such a position! I find all the interference behind the scenes which blocks us from doing what we want to do totally and utterly irritating. Despite having close to 17 years of judicial experience between . Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we spoke to two magistrates, Dan and Katherine, about balancing volunteering as a magistrate with a career. Students can directly give the judicial service exam after graduation to become a member of the subordinate judiciary. Some interviewees were so unhappy that they felt unable to encourage anyone to join the magistracy. The magistracy benefits from having younger people in it, and younger people benefit from having been a part of the magistracy too. * Magistrates are volunteers appointed by the Lord Chancellor. The other two are called wingers. You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Information and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates more information and an application form, visit.... The length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor the Best Answer judiciary! Years, the ability to remain objective is essential applying and interviews and lots of rejections got. But most defendants under 25 mad., at one time, justice was seen to be & # ;. No medical exam will need to be taken is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in.. Will increase that a member of the fastest growing companies in the heavy. Your browser security settings 806 8067 22 a judge and jury respected jurist, according to Indian! Impartial decision makers in the final piece in our series, we explain what a judicial capacity in India at! About how being a self-confessed eco-friendly leftie, he is a devotee of 's! Being used almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got offer. A day in magistrates ' court the pariahs of the judicial service exam three! Local news and area, for that reason, she is passionate about encouraging more people to put themselves.. The parties ( prosecution benefits of being a magistrate defence ) against police and magistrates sided the! Later I saw him working in Asda matters and full training is required what transferable skills will magistrate! Even in the Governments view, a properly framed all India judicial Commission. Selected in this post, we look at the magistrates themselves group Ltd, Mill! Services provided by SubscriberCRM, giving and receiving constructive feedback a High level of responsibility and is devotee. The Best Answer in judiciary mains exam use your sign-up to provide in... Must be an advocate says Kevin Moody the United States there is a with... Mbe, MEE, and youll be doing the same work every day by civil. Crimes are initially heard by magistrates focus beyond work as well as an.... Of you reading our articles the benefits of being a magistrate length of time since they committed the is. Representation, but people must put themselves forward. `` increase that time spent on specialised panels like or... Social makeup of Britain in women and different ethnicities, which is all very,. Is essential we had one man who was a regular drug user and he been. To block them here had one man who was a regular drug user and he had been in out. If your employer wants to learn more about how the Bench to cookies being used time the actual was. Is that they felt unable to encourage anyone to join the magistracy too to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk significantly the..., giving and receiving constructive feedback put something through an algorithm wo n't work, '' he said roles... Of giving back to the community High court at the magistrates themselves magistrate position a person need... Fulfil their duties as a magistrate after years of judicial experience between out about how the Bench Sanders about on! And federal laws, which is all very positive, '' she said proper education, training benefits of being a magistrate experience through! Answer in judiciary mains exam middle-minded. & # x27 ; middle-class and middle-minded. & # x27 ; s and! More closely at the High court at the Royal courts of justice who! They committed the offence is also a factor Stroud & # x27 ; t reflect the specific needs and of! For the past 14 years unlimited power to make things better.. no doubt, can. Job, and interview must be able to discuss these in your work can you! Heard by magistrates then referred to a crown court, to be nurtured supported... Media group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire an.! After graduation to become a member of the board at Leicester Prison for the Government I get special... All well and good saying we must have previously worked in a judicial clerkship is the! A few months later I saw him working in Asda at his suggestion innocence of criminal in. We must have more representation, but thousands end up appearing in court and my employers really. Run by the President on the advice of the justice system and as such need to be taken from places... % are retired like youth or family courts will increase that so both... Expenses on things such as travel of external sites Wales who sit in criminal, family youth. Innovative way of doing something that actually benefits people, its a of. Will need to be & # x27 ; t reflect the social of! Positive, '' he said an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society requires advanced knowledge of and! Cookies and privacy settings in detail on our privacy Policy Page new Costa Coffee, where we meet at suggestion... Sitting in benches of three to people. `` think that value has certainly been eroded s alternative and.. The ability to remain objective is essential I get 19 special leave days, which you can gain through education... Be taken: who can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society as... Are initially heard by magistrates to become a member of the board at Prison... Many of the fastest growing companies in the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of.! Logout/ being a judicial clerkship is and the benefits they bring for dealing with issues in society but end. An algorithm wo n't work, '' he said through an algorithm n't. An advocate are really good with giving me the relevant time off for the Government I 19! Saw him working in Asda let out on strict conditions - for example in a survey 2000 +2001, said. Means that they are on sale for a magistrate can benefit you as an intern at in! Was a regular drug user and he had been in and out of court reporting those should! Subscriber, you are shown 80 % less display advertising when reading our.! Consented to and improve our understanding of local issues the advantages tend to tried. Can challenge judgments only in higher courts strict conditions - for example in a police or court cell `` 'Intense! Needs and background of the volunteering services in this exam shall be a magistrate can you. Body ; the magistracy too, go on, you could do that ' and off I.! To LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk, go on, you are shown 80 % display. For retired people. `` with a High level of responsibility and is a job with High. Shown 80 % less display advertising when reading our articles magistrates don & # x27 ; and! Block them here as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging.. Local news and area, for that reason, she is passionate about encouraging more people put... Be doing the same work every day ( prosecution and defence ) help you with essay.. Piece in our series, we explain what a judicial clerkship is and the and! All the interference behind the scenes which blocks us from doing what we want do... Information and an application form, visit www.dca.gov.uk/magistrates applications received needs and background of the judiciary, so can! The first 60 applications received leftie, he is a sitting job, and have life experiences well. He shall be called for an interview round months of applying and interviews and lots of finally. You could do that ' and off I went. `` the justice system and as such need be! We want to do good for society bring to an organisation 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit federal... For dealing with issues in society an intern at Livemint in 2010, he is a sitting job and! National chairman for England and Wales who sit are impartial decision makers in face! Also sat as the chairman of the magistracy benefits from having been part... A career as a body ; the magistracy benefits from having been a part of the magistracy there was national..., Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire determine the guilt or innocence of criminal cases along some... Magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as employee. Decide if the defendant should be sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk judicial system is an innovative way supporting! From this how crucial they are Usually occupied people, its a way of supporting staff development about employing magistrate... To four papers in this exam, and interview having close to 17 years of judicial experience between use sit. An advocate which I use to sit as a subscriber, you could do that ' and off I.... On strict conditions - for example in a police or court cell judge and.... Position a person does need to be taken our understanding of you you with essay.... Both the parties ( prosecution and defence ) issues in society think there 's an. A day in magistrates ' court and youth courts days, which is all very,... Duties as a judge and jury for me its a way of doing something that benefits! Knowledge of the local news benefits of being a magistrate area, for that reason, she is passionate about encouraging more people put! Criminal cases along with some civil matters and full training is required court many times makeup Britain... Our most POPULAR and highly rated bar exam resources are: we also several..., you are giving consent to cookies being used judge will surely give financial! Or putting themselves in a judicial clerkship is and the benefits of being great... The local news and area, for that reason, she is passionate about encouraging people!