The government is calling for “thousands of ordinary people from all walks of life” to help deliver justice by becoming magistrates.
The Ministry of Justice said it is looking for “everyday heroes from all backgrounds” to deliver justice in local communities across the country.
Over 2,000 extra magistrates have been trained since 2022 and the government intends the latest recruitment drive to double the number in the next financial year.
According to government figures, 57% of magistrates are female and 14% come from an ethnic minority background nationally, rising to 31% in London.
“Magistrates are representative of the communities they serve,” the Ministry of Justice said in a statement.
“Magistrates play a vital role in delivering justice locally. They are all volunteers and are expected to dedicate a minimum of 13 days a year to sitting on cases, meaning many magistrates can fulfil this crucial role easily alongside full-time employment and caring responsibilities.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy added:
“Magistrates play a vital role in our court system – hearing thousands of cases across every jurisdiction and delivering justice.
“They are everyday heroes – and we need more people of every age and background to volunteer not just to deliver justice but to serve and represent their local communities.
“Volunteering to become a magistrate can make a real difference to your life and the lives of others – that’s why I’m calling on the public to apply and play your part.”
All magistrates are given robust training and an experienced mentor in their first year to develop their skills and legal knowledge.
They are also supported with specialist legal advisors to allow them to deal with a range of cases. The top qualities that the Ministry of Justice 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, and some civil and family proceedings.
