Magistrate appointment ‘boom’ as government pushes on with court reforms

More than 1,600 magistrates were appointed in 2025/26 with 655 new recruits added in the first quarter of this year, the government has announced. 

The increase means an additional 2,312 new magistrates have joined since April 2025. As of March 2026, 15,259 volunteers have been appointed as magistrates.

But, while appointments have increased, hundreds have left the magistracy meaning that the net increase in numbers is 'just over 600', the Magistrates’ Association said.

The government has previously said it wants to have a 21,000-strong magistracy by 2030. The Magistrates’ Association said if recruitment and people leaving the magistracy continue at this rate, it would take nine years to reach the government’s target. Earlier this year, the government sought to recruit more than 2,000 additional magistrates in the next financial years.

Sarah Sackman KC, minister for courts and legal services, said:  'Magistrates are the backbone of our justice system, giving their time and experience to serve their communities and uphold the rule of law. These figures show we are rapidly increasing recruitment to strengthen courts across the country, cut delays and ensure victims get the justice they deserve faster.’

Under reforms set out in the government’s Courts and Tribunals Bill, magistrates' sentencing powers will be extended up to 18 months or 24 months imprisonment for single and multiple triable-way offences. The increase in sentencing powers will mean more cases can be heard, tried and sentenced in the magistrates’ court. Currently, magistrates’ sentencing powers are limited to 12 months.

Figures for January to March 2026 show the open caseload in the magistrates’ court was 370,222 – an 11% increase on the previous year (333,194) and up 2% on the previous quarter (364,779).

Catherine Feast, chief executive of the Magistrates’ Association, said: ‘It is good news we are seeing record numbers being appointed. Although it is early days, these figures do indicate that the improvements being made to the speed and efficiency of magistrate recruitment, as part of the magistrate uplift programme, may be working.

‘It can’t be taken in isolation however as at the same time hundreds of magistrates left the bench, meaning that despite the boost from recruitment the net increase in magistrate numbers was only just over 600.

‘Understanding the reasons why people are leaving is key here so that measures can be put in place to help retain magistrates - something important for long term stability.’

Data also showed 57% of magistrates are female and 14% come from an ethnic minority background.

Following the Ministry of Justice’s announcement, the Magistrates’ Association is calling on changes to be made to improve recruitment and retention including reforming the expenses system, better flexibility in sitting arrangements, a magistrates’ volunteer charter and a recruitment and retention strategy which includes targeted outreach to underrepresented communities.