Could you be a magistrate?

I looked at this, but decided I didn’t have the time to do it, even though it’s only 13 days a year, with everything else I do. I also wouldn’t get paid and I couldn’t afford to lose the money at the time

Yea all those white folk you'd be giving fines to would likely go the rampage to hunt you down.

I’d love to. I actually looked it up this morning. Unfortunately it’s cost me £20 a day as I earn just over what they reimburse. I won’t be able to do it as we can’t afford any income loss (family of 6, disabled DH, 2 students, 2 younger dc and a salary £5 a month over what would allow UC top ups. I’m already working overtime to make ends meet)

I would like to do this as I actually think I would be good at it (especially the tedious bits!!) but I am a white, middle class, privately educated, professional, middle aged woman so I am not what they are looking for!!

i think as it is a voluntary role they will end up with older people who have the time and financial security the young won’t necessarily have - however I can see why they want a broader mix of people so I hope they can fill the vacancies

@AmberSpy I am not a magistrate though - glad to hear they have more legal advice than I get

Probably not.

I had a role.once and went into it with a real motivation to do good for a set of disadvantaged others. In reality, the red tape and rules were so restricted there was very little manouvreability and we were only there as a tick box exercise. Replies to my ideas were noted but nothing ever came of them due to resource constraints and other important stuff overtaking.

It would frustrate me that rules/resources would restrict the outcome allowed so much that id really be pretty ineffective.

I was asked last year actually and said I might be interested if I wasnt the main carer for my elderly father. Thats why Ive thought about it as, now hes in a care home, Im available.

So apply yourself and be part of making a change. That's all any of us can do to make the process better.

I don't doubt you and i imagine there are many decent magistrates ,doesn't change my opinion though.

It's only 13 days a year so average 1 day a month
A lot of employers give decent time off. Local Authorities and Civil Service give 18 days a year paid to full time staff.

I never really understand how anyone of working age has the time!

I work and my employer wouldn't be happy if i asked to do this.

They wouldn't want me anyway, I'm white middle class, very white collar. I think it might be a slight conflict of interest with my job as well.

I got as far as filling in the application but then changed jobs so wouldn't have been able to commit to the necessary time.

I may come back to it in the future

Like @Squirrelchops1I am a magistrate in the family courts and I did it because I really wanted a full term voluntary commitment where I genuinely thought it would help children. I’ve read and heard some pretty harrowing things and it’s made me even more aware of my ‘privilege’ and very very grateful for my family, supportive DH, and even more angry at how so many families have been shafted by austerity tbh. There are a lot of cases we see where I believe if people had got some help early on in their children’s lives and support, it might not have ended in court. And don’t get me started on how few people now get legal aid when they really need it.

If you’re interested I would apply and really not worry too much about fitting any criteria; I’m white, middle class and in an office job, I am under fifty (and not privately educated but I can honestly say my education has never come up once!) What I am is interested in children’s futures and what I can do to help when my job is very much not in the public sector.

I applied to hear more in the last tranche and never heard a thing. I've also registered again through the Civil Service internal campaign and not heard a peep.....

I'd love to do it. I am unsure if I am even eligible due to my previous and current roles but I'd at least like the opportunity to apply!

Mixed as in, it's not a Mumsnet Naice area, it's industrial town and all my neighbouring area has a lot of poverty and fair amount of low level crime.
There would always be a fair chance of the defendant knowing someone who I know. Whereas if I lived in a posh village on the outskirts I'd feel less of a possible target. Iykwim.

I volunteered a while ago at an organisation called Support Through Court - providing practical advice such as filling in forms, and sometimes emotional support such as attending hearings as a friendly face (but strictly NOT giving legal advice). Can definitely recommend it if there's a branch near you!

I will never forgive the 3 female magistrates who refused to believe my ex was abusive as we sat in family court, even with me shaking, CAFCASS agreeing with me and him swearing and shouting at his barrister and arguing with them that he had the parental right to withhold medical treatment from our son if he felt like it.
We need people who have more life experience doing it but I couldn’t after that. Cunts frankly.

And on that note, I have been wondering if anyone know of any similar voluntary roles in law that might lean more towards supporting and advising people. As I said above, I have a UK law degree but am not a solicitor or barrister.

I have very seriously considered this role as I am keen and have time to volunteer and I have a UK law degree. I didnt ever complete a training contract so I’m not a solicitor but I did very well in my degree and love law. I’m white but not British - (South African), under 45 and did not go to private school.

The only thing that has put me off is that I have wondered if it is dangerous and negative. I can cope with dealing with the darker elements of life but worry it’s a depressing job.

I’m one, and started an AMA some time ago. Happy to answer questions there or here.

FWIW, I’ve done voluntary work for longer than I care to think about, and it’s by far the best fit for me. The work is broadly as you might expect, the commitment is modest, and there’s a good deal of flexibility.

For adult crime magistrates, no preparation ahead of time: you deal with what's in front of you on the day and then go home. Family requires reading of bundles.

Yes you always have a legal adviser to guide you on the points of law.

Yes, I work in the justice system, but I couldn't afford to give up work to do it. The expenses wouldn't replace my salary and it would be a conflict of interest if I did it while in my current role

Magistrates do have a legal advisor at all times...when you're in court.
If you sit in family court you get the bundle to read about 48 hours ahead of the hearing.
There are various different strands within criminal so I'm not sure if there are any specific courts where they might get papers ahead of time too.

Same here. First time ever my education had acted against me! And the fact I went to private school cast me out beyond The Pale.

That's interesting - I thought magistrates had a legal adviser at all times, is there still significant preparation and research needed on top of that?