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Magistrate (6 Key Personal Qualities (Understanding and Communication,…
Magistrate
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Facts
About 30,000 lay magistrate trying over one million a year- over 96% of all criminal cases- 20 times the number tried in Crown Courts.
Qualifications- Lay Magistrates do not need any special legal qualifications HOWEVER they must satisfy the following requirements
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Time- Mag must be able to attend court at least 26 half-days per year. They are to paid and only receive expenses and a small loss of earning allowance
Swearing of Oath of allegiance- Magistrates must promise to serve the British monarch, although British nationality is not requirement
Selection- There are several stages to the selection process (Justices of the Peace aCT 1997 as amended by the Courts Act 2003)
Advertisement- In the area where the need has arisen. Applications must live or working that locality .
Application Form- Available from the Ministry of Justice. Online or hard copy. This is checked by the Local Advisory Committee, usually made up or former Magistrates and key community leaders such as members of Trade Unions, charities and local Political Parties.
Interview- First- To assess personality and the 6 key characteristics. Second Interview- To assess ability by discussing practical examples of the type of case heard in Mag Court.
Composition of the Bench- Each bench should broadly reflect the community it serves. However,most Mag still come from professional managerial backgrounds and 40% are retired from full time employment.
Appointment-Local Advisory Committee will submit the names of successful candidates to the Lord Chief Justice who will make the appointments. ( Crime and Courts Act 2013) Final stage is swearing an oath .