It’s time you had your day in court

Oct 15 2007 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A DRIVE has begun to make magistrates in the North-East more representative of their communities.

Court authorities are looking for more people from the Asian and black communities, and from certain geographical areas, to become magistrates so that the bench reflects the make-up of modern society as closely as possible.

Magistrates Courts form a key part of the judicial system and every year more people are needed to serve in them. Virtually all criminal cases start in them and more than 95% of cases are also completed there. But there are very few magistrates from the Asian or black communities.

Mike Ransom, chairman of the Newcastle Bench Advisory Committee, said: “There is no specific shortage in overall numbers but we need the bench to be as representative of the community as we can get. We need more people from working class backgrounds, from the west end of the city. We also need people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

“Every year new people come on board and old magistrates leave. In Newcastle we have 200 magistrates at any one time and we look to recruit 20 new ones to the bench every year.”

Magistrates carry out all their duties locally and deal with most criminal cases. Less serious crimes such as minor theft, criminal damage, public disorder and motoring offences are all dealt with by magistrates, while more serious crimes are passed on to the Crown Court.

Magistrates usually sit as a bench of three. One is the chairman, who usually has about five years’ experience and has been trained for the role, the other two are known as wingers.

No formal qualifications are required and new magistrates will be put on a seven-week training course. This can be completed in the evenings and takes about two hours a week. Anyone between the age of 18 and 65 can become a magistrate.

Mr Ransom said: “There are six key qualities which magistrates need to have. These are commitment, reliability, good character, maturity, sound judgement and social awareness.”

Magistrates are required to sit for a minimum of 26 half days each year and be available for full day sittings. It is essential that anyone applying to become a magistrate is able to give the required time commitment. The position is unpaid but expenses through missed work can be claimed back.

Anyone who wants to become a magistrate should call their local court and speak to the Magistrates Advisory Committee. There is an application form to fill out and then an interview process before selection.