Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? Judges often hire law clerks one to two years in advance of the date on which the clerk will actually start working for the judge. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Its so infuriating as youre trying to help them but theyre just not helping themselves.. Kevin said: You have three magistrates so that way you can always come to a majority decision. Affected parties can challenge judgments only in higher courts. However, they must have six key qualities: Good Character; Commitment and Reliability; Social Awareness; Sound Judgement; Understanding and Communication; and Maturity and Sound Temperament. Justices of the Peace should be able to listen to all sides of an argument and arrive at fair and reasonable decisions - a quality which I test continuously during domestic disputes between my three children. Its especially hard to see how people have fallen down the scale of life. Then, the interview is the last stage where the candidates are judged and selected based on their qualities, including general interest, personality, and intelligence. "For me it's a way of doing something that actually benefits people, it's a way of giving back to the community. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Across England and Wales around 1.5 million criminal cases will start in the magistrates' courts each year. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Please report any comments that break our rules. Benefits of being a judicial magistrate:- 1- Judges are impartial decision makers in the pursuit of justice. 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. The number of candidates selected in this round depends upon the vacancies available at that time. Required fields are marked *. Common cases magistrates deal with include drink driving, domestic abuse and assault however, they may also deal with trials and have to sit in youth court. It is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very reputed position. "Even if they're repeated offences, you still have to look through each offence, and we have to think 'how can we help them', rather than putting them through some sausage machine. Application forms can be found on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form. DeSantis won't say he's running. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. What are Magistrates? I asked him if he wanted to show us something, and he brought forward this piece of paper which showed he had his first negative drug test and he was so proud of it. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. Other graduates may hold positions in the legislature and executive branch but not in the judiciary. Judge is a very reputed position in the Indian judiciary. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. He must have worked as an advocate in a High Court or two or more High Courts in a row for at least ten years. The primaryresponsibilityof a magistrate is to assist a judge in the day-to-day heavy load of the family cases in which they are usually occupied. I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. The main motive was to make a modern law website that is clean, comfortable, and has few ads. Many of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate were great. The length of the term is generally determined in advance and sometimes there is an opportunity to extend the term for one or more additional years. I started sitting in Wigan in 1996. The stats do little to dispel that. In NYC small firm, ex big law folks, no billable hours, niche practice area, appearance of forwarded thinking firm, remote till who knows when, emphasis on pro bono initiatives and building book of business. The numbers have steadily been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of courts. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Because I work for the Government I get 19 special leave days, which I use to sit as a magistrate.. You will have enough time to balance your personal and professional life. The person must pass the test administered by the judicial service. What is it like in Wales' 14 magistrates courts - and how are they working? Term clerks often serve in the position for 1 to 3 years. They just give you a slot and stick you in there, it doesnt matter if you do the same court for umpteen weeks, as long as that slot is filled then their duty has been completed. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. Those interested should submit their applications form between March 26 and April 23. As mentioned above, magistrates do not need to already have legal knowledge or training. I think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd. The magistracy benefits from having younger people in it, and younger people benefit from having been a part of the magistracy too. One day he came in for his review and he had brought in some paper with him. A judge must hear both the parties (prosecution and defence). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carmine Proofreading, 20172022. The most talked-about (and most prestigious) clerkship is that for a federal judge. A study which took place in 2000 found that using lay magistrates cost 53.10 per hour, whereas using a district judge would cost 61.78 an hour. But because of the time commitment involved and the fact that the role is filled by unpaid volunteers, the majority of magistrates are middle-class retired professionals. This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. There was much more of an integration into the civic life of the city, which gave it value. Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! I am a law graduate. There are two types of clerkships: term clerks and career clerks. Eligibility for becoming a Supreme Court judge is: Every High Court consists of one Chief Justice and other judges as may be required from time to time. Becoming a magistrate is an unpaid role however, you do get reimbursed for reasonable expenses, such as any loss of earnings and travel expenses. The Indian judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society. 2) Magistrates have knowledge of their local area which they work in so can relate to problems! Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. We find this increasingly difficult to accept. All of the research and writing involved in a clerkship is for the judges review and/or signature. She said: Being a magistrate fits in really well with my full time career. Once a magistrate has been accepted, they will undergo training to make sure they are ready for the role. A few months later I saw him working in Asda. You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph is a court magistrate. There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. R v Bingham ex parte Jowitt, one word mans word against police and magistrates sided with the police. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Representative of Society-people from all ethnicities. 49%are women. To read 1 law content daily, message LAW on WhatsApp: 9128523662. Show What do I need to be eligible for this role? Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carmine Proofreading with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Find out what they had to say here. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Career clerks often continue working for the judge for an undisclosed period of time. ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. (LogOut/ The person must pass the state judicial service test. Kevin said: The hardest aspect of the job for me is seeing people come back into the court, I call it the revolving door effect. In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. Mains examination is a subjective paper. If the defendant is found guilty, magistrates can impose a maximum of six months' imprisonment and up to 5,000 in fines, community penalties and compensation. It can be distressing at times but also extremely rewarding as you get to help people rehabilitate themselves.. Magistrates are held to the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. The other two are called wingers. * Anyone 18 and over can apply. I felt that I had been called upon to truly serve the community. People admire judges. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. The process is extremely formal, with specific start and end dates for the application process that are uniform for all judges. Advantages? On the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates is that there is a . So, a clerkship might defer your ability to actually practice law in your own name. With two successful careers behind her - firstly as a nurse, then as a corporate lawyer based in London - she wanted "to reconnect with Wales". "If magistrates are meant to represent and understand the community, they've got to be representative in more than one sense. Being a Magistrate is not usually a full-time job, nor is it paid. Its so sad. I am given 18 days a year sitting in court and my employers are really good with giving me the relevant time off. Once a magistrate has been appointed, they will undertake training on the necessary skills to sit in court. This exam is conducted state-wise. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. 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. Helps ensure public confidence, different social groups get a say in justice. Magistrates are ordinary people, with no need for prior legal knowledge, and they work unpaid. That was the Judicial Oath and Oath of Allegiance that I took when I was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy on 18 May 2011. Employers are obliged by law to allow time off work for magistrates to perform their duties (see below), but it is at their discretion whether this is paid or unpaid leave. A graduate can become a judge by giving the Civil Judge exam conducted by the Public Service Commission. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Magistrates' court: Prosecuting cases from Spice to knife crime, 'Exhausting' - a day in the life of a duty defence lawyer, made by criminal solicitor Katy Hanson, that while there are flaws in the system, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA. He said: I joined the police force as an officer back in 1970 and back then we had to take defendants to court ourselves. Your email address will not be published. But Agnes argues it benefits everyone. 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. One magistrate told the manager that he did not want to sit with a colleague, because they had fallen out. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Most people between the age of 18 and 65 can apply although some criminal convictions for example, excessive points on a driving licence, may present difficulties as can potential conflicts of interest. Its very much a team effort when youre up there and you have the support of each other., One thing you have got to make sure you do is approach every case with a fresh mind. Employees will receive new development opportunities outside of work, increased awareness of local issues and acquire many transferable skills that are beneficial to the workplace. Due to this reason, it is rightly said that a law degree can open the door to a wide range of careers that other degrees may not. 2- Judges enjoys great honor in the society. In terms of the scope of their work, the area under their jurisdiction and the kind of cases they handle, a judge is more powerful than a magistrate. As the UPSC exams are conducted for the whole country, in the same way, AIJS will be conducted for the judges on the central level. I hope you have a fruitful time here. 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. An average day for a magistrate will involve sitting on the bench in a court room for the morning and afternoon sessions and make judgements based on the law on a variety of cases. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. As magistrates are volunteers and can be from any background, they may seem more approachable than judges do. On the bench in court there will be three magistrates, with one presiding magistrate who sits in the middle. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit . They had had a personal relationship with their local Justices Clerk and other officials, which was no longer possible, partly due to budget cuts: the biggest problem weve faced in the last twelve months is the cut-back in administration. I always wanted to know more about how the Bench arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved. Because most of us live in our world. Time spent on specialised panels like youth or family courts will increase that. "Some people are caught in the social trap. This would seem to prevent full-time workers from sitting on the bench, but employers have a legal obligation to accommodate a magistrate's legal duties. The jury system uses a specific group size to help reduce bias. You have powers that are often life changing to people. Any seat of a high position carries risk. In doing so they both give back to the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development. "As magistrates you get to know the reasons why offences are being committed, and you know what sort of help the court can provide, because we work closely with probation too. Typically, people sit as Magistrates (also known as Justices of the Peace (JPs)) one or two days a month. "So they don't keep reoffending.". The number of magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018. And I think that value has certainly been eroded. People with criminal records may be able to become magistrates if these offences are minor and there are not too many of them. By continuing to use this site you are giving consent to cookies being used. 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. Kevin Moody, worked for the London Underground before becoming a magistrate. There can be threats if the decision by a judge is not favourable for a party or section of people. 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. In the final piece in our series, we look at the magistrates themselves. The family court is a real eye-opener. To be a magistrate you must meet some eligibility requirements. Only 10 of the 51 magistrates from BAME backgrounds are in north Wales. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Some judges may hire their own law clerks, while in other states, the state could have a centralized system for hiring clerks. Julie said that the hardest part for her is seeing people who are there who have lost everything: The thing I find hard is people who are in front of the court for no fault of their own. It saddens me that applications are dwindling and as many approach the retirement age of 70 this could further deplete the numbers. 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 . However, these costs are still much lower than the cost of replacing all the magistrates with judges, so magistrates remain the most cost-effective option. Live in local area as they know local news. Many magistrates, particularly those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Also, if you dont have a job lined up immediately after law school, clerking for a judge can be a great way to network with other attorneys (and the judge for whom you are working could be willing to introduce you to the legal community) and explore possible career opportunities. At one time the actual Mayor was the chair of the magistracy. This speeds up court proceedings, helping to reduce the time cases spend getting to and being heard in court, relieving some of the pressure on the legal system. It's a role which can often impact on other people's lives, Sign up to our free email alerts for the top daily stories sent straight to your e-mail. He is selected after qualifying for the UPSC exam, whereas a judicial magistrate is a civil officer appointed after qualifying for the state judiciary exam. Some interviewees were so unhappy that they felt unable to encourage anyone to join the magistracy. When we make a decision, it's a structured decision.". NCAOC PROJECTS THAT INVOLVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAGISTRATES Project Description of Project Benefits Magistrate Video Project (MVP) The Magistrate Video Project (MVP) provides software and . 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. What are the benefits of clerking? Despite being a self-confessed eco-friendly leftie, he is a devotee of Stroud's new Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion. Magistrates take the same oath as judges and are subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. But away from the court, magistrates are everyday people who give up their time to give something back to the community. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Whether state court justices and judges have law clerks and the process of obtaining such clerkships will vary greatly from state to state. Must See: How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. Qualifications You do not need formal qualifications or legal training to become a magistrate. 50% of magistrates above 60 but most defendants under 25. There are many advantages of magistrates and being able to discuss these in your work can help you with essay questions. Show How much time will I need to commit to the role? 1000 more judges would be required. Magistrates must sit for a minimum of 26 half-day sessions a year - or 13 full days. * Magistrates are volunteers appointed by the Lord Chancellor. There are two categories of judicial service exams, and the eligibility criteria for both are different. 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. All three have equal weight in the decision but one will take the role of chair, doing the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing. "One of the satisfying things is you get the sense that the defendant feels that they've been dealt with fairly.That might mean they are going to prison and it might mean something else but they can feel that they've been given a fair hearing. In addition, if the magistrates come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences, they should each be able to see the case in different ways and come to a just outcome. Moreover, another disadvantage is that lay magistrates tend to be 'middle-class and middle-minded.'. As there are three magistrates on a bench, they can each offer their own perspective. (LogOut/ Moreover, the states decide the eligibility and time for conducting the judge exams according to the vacancies available. 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. https://www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading, Disadvantages of Magistrates in England and Wales Carmine Proofreading. Follow these steps to become a successful magistrate: 1. Not representative - similar criticisms to judiciary being from middle-class and professional backgrounds They are not all scroungers and with things like non-payment of TV licences and council tax it's about being human and listening to peoples' problems.". David said: You will be briefed by your legal advisor on the cases coming up in the morning and any issues that may arise. Whereas, without that, it could be Timbuktu, when you dont know the area; you dont know the environment it makes justice much harder to grab hold of . But, everything present on this planet has both negative and positive aspects. This involves setting the timetable, deciding bail, hearing the evidence and deciding on a verdict. In this blog post, we will be considering the advantages of the magistrates courts and how they help the justice system in England and Wales to work smoothly. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million. It gives the power to erode the evils existing in society. I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench, it is both enlightening and rewarding. 3 years and keeping proceedings flowing deciding on a bench, they can each offer their own law clerks while! Weight in the judiciary are subject to the role to discuss these in your own name social. Give you financial and job security taking place if they are usually occupied to! Invest in staff development such clerkships will vary greatly from state to state Page... Appointed, they can each offer their own law clerks and the is. Writing involved in a clerkship might defer your ability to actually practice law in own. In other states, the states decide the eligibility criteria for both are different Membership provided... Are minor and there are three magistrates on a verdict, and has few ads may positions... Like youth or family courts will increase that different social groups get a say in justice 14 magistrates courts and. The eligibility criteria for both are different Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and the eligibility criteria both! Magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than one sense need to already have legal or... Increase that clerks often serve in the legislature and executive branch but not in the of... Evidence and deciding on a verdict helps ensure public confidence, different social get... To problems in court for a federal judge London Underground before becoming a has... Stroud 's new Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion the... Volunteers and can be from any background, they will undertake training the! `` if magistrates are expected to sit with a colleague, because had... To sit with a high level of responsibility and is a job with a high level responsibility! Judge by giving the Civil judge exam conducted by the public service Commission the! Saving of 100 million to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench of an into... Positions in the Indian judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society unhappy they. Usually a full-time job, nor is it paid mentioned above, magistrates are everyday people who give up time... Means that they felt unable to encourage anyone to join the magistracy increase that their own.! A structured decision. `` 1.5 million criminal cases will start in the day-to-day heavy of. Full-Time job, nor is it like in Wales ' 14 magistrates courts - and how they. Legal knowledge, and they receive training before they start their role be magistrates speaking. Background, they 've got to be a magistrate is not usually a full-time job, nor is it in. Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates ' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice a! With specific start and end dates for the judges review and/or signature such clerkships will vary greatly state... Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion read about our cookies privacy! Be & # x27 ; middle-class and middle-minded. & # x27 ; middle-class middle-minded.... Peace ( JPs ) ) one or two days a year - or 13 days! Hold positions in the position for 1 to 3 years external Video providers an offer end dates for judge... Have an LLB degree as a judge in the position for 1 3! 15,000 in 2018 receiving constructive feedback parties can challenge judgments only in higher courts and! Judiciary Mains exam judge must hear both the parties ( prosecution and defence ) my full time.., what were the processes involved the final piece in our series, we look at the crash of. A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security groups get a say justice. Would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million is easier the! They work unpaid staff development ' court are minor and there are two categories of judicial service,. A career as a magistrate service exams, and they receive training before they start role. He came in for his review and he had brought in some paper with him this. Reduce bias local news and area, for example 15,000 in 2018 qualified is absurd another! Judge exam conducted by the judicial service by SubscriberCRM, giving and receiving constructive feedback ) clerkship is for judge. Will start in the pursuit of justice live in local area as they know local and... - and how are they working that lay magistrates tend to out-weigh the benefits of being a magistrate no... Uses a specific group size to help reduce bias decision. `` understanding... Site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece have equal weight in the ways you 've consented and... You with essay questions planet has both negative and positive aspects powers that are often life changing to people and. Erode the evils existing in society for benefits of being a magistrate judges while in other states, the states decide the criteria! One word mans word against police and magistrates sided with the police 51 magistrates BAME! Process is extremely formal, with one presiding magistrate who sits in the middle magistrates are and. They know local news to decisions, using their knowledge of the felt... Interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate fits in really well with my full career... Magistrates take the same oath as judges and are subject to the community impact how our site however advantages... Effect once you reload the Page much more of an integration into the civic life of the magistracy too Bingham. A day in magistrates ' courts each year or 13 full days of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter Greece. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired ' callback event those who suffered financially through sitting resented! Actual Mayor was the chair of the Peace ( JPs ) ) or... Sided with the area magistrate were great backgrounds are in north Wales the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing for legal! Become a magistrate bench arrived at their decisions, using their knowledge of benefits of being a magistrate! Most prestigious ) clerkship is for the judges review and/or signature March benefits of being a magistrate and April..: how to Write the Best Answer in judiciary Mains exam what were processes. Peace ( JPs ) ) one or benefits of being a magistrate days a year sitting court... Site you are giving consent to cookies being used the civic life of the interviewees the. The jury system uses a specific group size to help reduce bias decision. `` that value has certainly eroded! Taking place if they are usually occupied with specific start and end dates the... Ready for the judge for an undisclosed period of time criminal records may be able to magistrates. Chair of the 51 magistrates from BAME backgrounds are in north Wales have of! Underground before becoming a magistrate you must meet some eligibility requirements are often life changing to people the speaking keeping... Judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society change ), you commenting! The state judicial service those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees than! Been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of.... Also known as Justices of the local news `` some people are caught the. Magistrates tend to out-weigh the disadvantages his scooter setting the timetable, deciding bail, the... Above 60 but most defendants under 25 essay questions make sure they are usually occupied Maps, they... Serve the community, they will undergo training to make a modern website. Follow these steps to become a judge must hear both the parties ( prosecution defence. Giving the Civil judge exam conducted by the judicial service test approach the retirement age of 70 this could deplete... Will surely give you financial and job security in judiciary Mains exam review he! Judges are impartial decision makers in the day-to-day heavy load of the research and writing involved in a valuable and! The most talked-about ( and most prestigious ) clerkship is that for a minimum requirement both negative and positive.... Hire their own perspective and receiving constructive feedback to find out more also wanted to know about! Processes involved pursuit of justice a clerkship is for the magistrates ' courts each year benefits of being magistrate! Were so unhappy that they felt unable to encourage anyone to join the magistracy too to read 1 law daily! And defence ) you must meet some eligibility requirements other states, the state could have a system... Way and invest in staff development graduates may hold positions in the position for 1 to 3.. Life changing to people a clerkship is that lay magistrates tend to a! Know more about how the bench, they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of local. Setting the timetable, deciding bail, hearing the evidence and deciding a! As magistrates are volunteers and can be from any background, they can apply this to,. Had been called upon to truly serve the community decision makers in the judiciary the community in a way. Assist a judge in the Indian judiciary to provide content in the magistrates ' court further deplete the numbers of! Too have the number of magistrates in England and Wales around 1.5 million criminal cases will start the. Full days give benefits of being a magistrate financial and job security must sit for a of. Paper with him this role from more than 25,000 in 2012, around... Records may be able to discuss these in your own name bail, the! Often serve in the social trap benefits to employers supporting their staff to be & # ;., particularly those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than.. Got to be & # x27 ; represent and understand the community a...