A second recruitment drive to recruit ‘thousands more’ magistrates has been launched – nine months after the first was announced.
The £4m initiative, launched this week, is the largest ever, the Ministry of Justice said.
Nearly 3,000 magistrates have been appointed as part of the government’s aim to have a 21,000-strong magistracy by 2028/29. In 2022, there were around 12,500 magistrates. The Magistrates’ Association has previously said if recruitment and the rate of exodus continue at the current rate, it would take nine years to reach the government’s target.
The government campaign – You’ve Got the Makings of a Magistrate – aims to show the public that they may already have the qualities needed to become a magistrate such as ‘good judgment, empathy and decision-making skills’.
In a first for the government, adverts calling people to join the magistracy will appear on television and social media channels.
Magistrates, who hear around 95% of all criminal cases, are required to sit for a minimum of 13 days a year.
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Lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice, Alex Norris said: ‘Magistrates embody the very best of public service. They give their time, experience and judgement to make vital decisions that help ensure justice is delivered fairly in communities across the country.
‘I’m calling on the public to play their part - we need more people from all walks of life to step forward and become their local magistrate.’
Catherine Feast, chief executive of the Magistrates’ Association said: ‘A good magistrate is a team player, a problem-solver, a good listener, and shows good judgement and empathy in court. These are qualities that many people have, and we’d encourage anyone who thinks they have what it takes to do this demanding but rewarding role, to take the next step and apply to become a magistrate.’
A new national taskforce working with local recruitment committees across England and Wales aims to streamline the magistracy recruitment process to cut the time taken to recruit magistrates, historically a long-winded process, by more than half.
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