Read about our approach to external linking. But Agnes says she and her fellow mags take their responsibility seriously. Most judges have at least one attorney on their staff who helps the judge conduct legal research, prepare for hearings and trials and draft written opinions. It shall also address the key issue of social inclusion by enabling suitable representation to marginalised and deprived sections of society. 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. 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). Legal guidelines state magistrates should be from a range of backgrounds, reflecting the community they serve in terms of race, gender, occupation, political affiliation and where they live. Deciding whether a prison sentence or a Community Order is most appropriate can be the catalyst for someone turning their life around. The number of magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018. "Sometimes it's inevitable they go back into remand, but it's always very much based on the individual. Representative of Society-people from all ethnicities. They train for four years (seven if you count the three year continuation training) and have a legal clerk on hand if they get stuck on the finer . "It affects me but it doesn't affect my decisions. The person must pass the state judicial service test. Mains examination is a subjective paper. What are Magistrates? "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. The person appointed as a High Court judge can serve as a judge until he attains the age of 62 years. 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. I had enough money not to work anymore but I still wanted to give something back to the community and I had always had an interest in the law. 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. I am a magistrate - this is why they are important, Gillian Joseph was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy in May 2011. "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. There are a small number of jobs that can exclude someone from being a magistrate where this would create a conflict of interest, for example, being part of the police force. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. I felt that I had been called upon to truly serve the community. You will have enough time to balance your personal and professional life. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. But as Roger points out, shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is perfectly consistent with judicial principles. Subscribe to Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice, 43 Lawford Road, London NW5 2LG. While they are paid expenses and compensated for loss of earnings, magistrates attend court for a minimum of 26 half-day sessions a year. 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. After leaving the police force I went into retail for around 10 years. The Supreme Court of India comprises one Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges. When you look at a defendant regardless of the circumstances you look at them as human beings.. 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. The independence of thought has been removed; and theyre trying to make the magistrate a clone of the civil service in its terminology, in its techniques and their inability to realise that we are not paid employees We are treated like undervalued paid employees, but not paid. Fewer than 5% identify as black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) - one of the lowest proportions compared to English regions, although in line with the Welsh population. (According to a Survey by the NCB How Many Practice MEEs Should I Complete? For at least seven years, the person must be an advocate. "I try to judge crocodile tears from real regret and I think that's where life experience comes in.". It requires a lot of hard work to become a judge. Sign up for our free five-star course here! A judge must determine the guilt or innocence of criminal defendants in criminal court and impose punishments on those found guilty. Two stages of interviews will be held between May and June. "Some people are caught in the social trap. "Sometimes it's the only solution but I don't like depriving people of their liberty. Show What attributes does a magistrate need to have? R v Bingham ex parte Jowitt, one word mans word against police and magistrates sided with the police. "We need to dispel this myth that it's only for retired people.". We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Other graduates may hold positions in the legislature and executive branch but not in the judiciary. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. The opinion that magistrates are under qualified and a stereotype is inconsequential compared to all of the advantages. Must See: How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam. 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. Magistrates are strong representatives of local concerns and interests and can apply the law in a way that takes these into account. Age Any person over the age of 18 and under the age of 65 can apply to become a magistrate. Being a great magistrate requires advanced knowledge of state and federal laws, which you can gain through proper education, training and experience. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. (LogOut/ As there are three magistrates on a bench, they can each offer their own perspective. Many others are rapidly approaching the compulsory retirement age of 70 which the House of Commons Justice Committee says could leave significant gaps in the role, unless recruitment improves. Magistrates must have six key qualities. I have been a magistrate for 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first day I sat. There are around 30,000 magistrates in England and Wales, dealing with around 97 per cent of all criminal cases. You may also. In addition, magistrates are a relatively cheap option for the legal system compared to judges. 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. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. They knew what they could get you to do and not to do. Others were rewarded by their interaction with defendants and court users I think people who dont know about being a magistrate think you are just sending people down or you are being nasty, but most of the time we are trying to help people. Magistrate Courts hear about 95% of criminal cases along with some civil matters and full training is provided. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. Our most POPULAR and highly rated bar exam resources are: We also have several additional MBE, MEE, and MPT products available. Many of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate were great. It is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very reputed position. Live in local area as they know local news. A judge must hear both the parties (prosecution and defence). As mentioned above, magistrates do not need to already have legal knowledge or training. I was surrounded by approximately 50 other newly-appointed magistrates who each took the oath in turn. Also, once you are at a firm and are under the pressure of billable hours, you very likely will not have any chance to just sit and court and observe. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. In doing so they both give back to the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development. Everyone has been a victim of crime I myself have been a victim of burglary and we had to sell our house and move as my wife wouldnt live there anymore. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. 1000 more judges would be required. You will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts of lawyering as a law clerk! Balanced view - a bench of three Magistrates provides a balanced view; Cost - they are volunteers and therefore relatively cheap, though do take longer to make decisions than professional judges; Disadvantages. A Gannett Company. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and Disadvantages of Magistrates. Being a magistrate is a voluntary role, but you can claim expenses. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Earn your bachelor's degree. 2023 Magistrates Association. In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. The stats do little to dispel that. There are two categories of judicial service exams, and the eligibility criteria for both are different. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Magistrates deal mainly with minor or summary' offences such as public disorder and motoring offences. Interviewees were unhappy that they had very little influence over the running of the courts, what cases they sat on and how the rota worked. Being a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local issues. There are lots of letters on the board in X court saying we value your work but it is just words on paper.. We may request cookies to be set on your device. * Anyone 18 and over can apply. Magistrates thought the increase in out of court disposals deprived them of cases which should be heard in open court. Most of us will hope never to set foot in one, but thousands end up appearing in court each year. Once a magistrate has been accepted, they will undergo training to make sure they are ready for the role. Candidates called for interviews are three times the number of vacancies available. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Live in local area as they know local news. Registered Charity (No. More than half were over 60. But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society. Const., Art. Named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? DeSantis won't say he's running. Felt that I had been called upon to truly serve the community in a that! Are strong representatives of local issues a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local.! Force I went into retail for around 10 years called for interviews are three times the of. To the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development to deliver the website, refusing them have. Through proper education, training and experience sided with the police regret I. 65 can apply to become a magistrate need to dispel this myth that 's... 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