Discover the world of magistrates with this comprehensive study resource. Explore the qualifications required, commitments expected, and the rigorous selection and appointment process for magistrates. Gain insights into the composition of the bench of magistrates today, understanding the diversity ...
-Lay Magistrates-
There are about 17,500 lay magistrates sitting in the Magistrates' courts. Another name of Lay magistrates
is justices of peace. They sit to hear cases as a bench of 2 or 3 magistrates as single magistrates have very
limited powers
Lay Magistrates: These are unpaid, part-time judges who have no professional legal qualifications
QUALIFICATION
Lay magistrates do not have to have any qualifications in law. However, candidates must have 6 key
qualities:
- Good character
- Understanding + communication
- Social awareness
- Maturity and sound temperament
- Sound judgment
- Commitment and reliability
They must have certain judicial qualities (being able to assimilate information and make a reasoned
decision)
Lay Magistrates must be between the ages of 18 - 65 and can sit as a Magistrate until they are 70
AREA
Until 2003 it was necessary for Magistrates to live within 15 miles of the commission area however the
Courts Act (2003) abolished commission areas and replaced these commission areas with one big
commission are covering England and Wales.
However the country is divided in local justice areas. Lay Magistrates are expected to live or work within or
near the local justice area they are allocated
The Local justice areas are used to determine which Magistrates' court may hear a particular case. Cases
are heard in the area where:
- The offence was committed
- The person charged with the offence lives
- The witness and Majority of the witnesses live
- Cases raising similar issues are being dealt with
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