People from all walks of life in the East Midlands are being urged to consider becoming magistrates in a £1 million national recruitment drive to increase the number and diversity of those fulfilling this essential role.
With support from magistrates in the East Midlands, a new marketing campaign launched by the Ministry of Justice seeks to boost numbers by 4,000 across the country, with recruits expected to help tackle the backlog of criminal cases caused by the pandemic. It represents the largest recruitment effort in the 650-year history of the magistracy and could increase the workforce by up to a third in the coming years.
The Ministry of Justice is keen to tackle misconceptions about magistrates and increase interest in the role, in the East Midlands and beyond. Research shows 28% of people in the East Midlands are interested in becoming a magistrate but this jumps to 45% when they learn more about what is involved.
There are major knowledge gaps when it comes to the role of a magistrate. Research shows that many in the region do not realise it’s a part-time role that can fit round other commitments, with 28% thinking it is full time. 41% are unsure if they are eligible for the role, with 18% believing it requires a degree in law. In fact most people can become a magistrate – from ambulance drivers, to mechanics, to personal trainers.
The campaign aims to attract people from a wide range of backgrounds – from teachers to bricklayers, to stay-at-home mums, and any individuals who can display reason and sound judgment. It seeks to make the magistracy more representative of the communities it serves and will specifically target younger people – with anyone over 18 encouraged to consider the role.
Currently in the Midlands over half of magistrates (56%) are women but only 15.5% are from a Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority background. The Ministry of Justice is keen to continue to attract, and increase the number of diverse candidates to ensure the magistracy reflects the diversity of the region. The MoJ is also looking to attract a younger wave of volunteers, with less than one in ten magistrates (7.7%) in the Midlands currently under 39.
Each day magistrates across England and Wales make life-changing decisions in cases as varied as fraud and sexual assault. The work is voluntary with individuals expected to dedicate a minimum of 13 days a year service, meaning many magistrates often fulfil this crucial role easily alongside full-time employment and caring responsibilities.
Today’s announcement comes as the Government last week unveiled plans to double magistrates’ sentencing powers from six months to a year to help drive down waiting times and bring criminals to justice more quickly. The step is expected to free up an estimated 1,700 extra days of Crown Court time annually.
Pete Dexter (65 years old) from Nottingham is a retired engineer who has been a magistrate for sixteen years. He took on the role having previously been a school governor and wanting to find another way to serve the community. Pete says:
“Being a magistrate is very rewarding, and most applicants have the right qualities – all you need a sense of fairness and integrity – and you’ll also develop new transferrable skills.
If you’re unsure whether it’s for you, come and observe some proceedings and ask questions. If you decide it’s something you’d be interested in, you will be given all the training you need. . After seventeen years of service, I’ve never looked back.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, said:
“Magistrates are a vital pillar of our world-class justice system and we want people from every part of society represented in their ranks.
“If you care about your community and want to give back then I would encourage you to apply to become a magistrate. There are few other opportunities that can make such a difference in people’s lives.
“Alongside our plans to double their sentencing powers from six months to a year, this recruitment drive will ensure magistrates can play an even greater role in restoring the swift justice the public deserve”
All magistrates are given robust training and an experienced mentor in their first year to develop their skills and legal knowledge. The top qualities that MoJ and the Judiciary look for in potential candidates are good communication skills, a sense of fairness and the ability to see an argument from different sides. Candidates are being sought to fill positions across all jurisdictions including criminal work, youth cases, as well as certain civil and family proceedings.
Tom Quarton-Manuel (31-35) from Nottingham works for an energy sector. Tom also sits on the board of trustees for a charity that provides housing and support to refugees and destitute asylum seekers. He was sworn in as a magistrate on his 22nd birthday. On his role as a magistrate, Tom says:
“I applied to be a magistrate because I wanted to find a way to support the city I had moved to and to do something that would allow me to learn new skills. Becoming a magistrate married well with my passion for justice and fairness. I am now the Chair of the Magistrates' Association's LGBT+ Diversity & Inclusion Network. It’s really important we have a diverse group of magistrates to bring different experiences and opinions to the courtroom. Whatever your background or level of education, you can be a magistrate.”
Bev Higgs, National Chair of the Magistrates’ Association said:
“The Magistrates’ Association is pleased to support this recruitment campaign and would encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to contribute their lived experience, knowledge and commitment to the judiciary.
“It is vitally important that Magistrates’ Courts reflect their local communities, and we welcome all who join us in this unique and very rewarding role."