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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Could you be a magistrate?

217 replies

Netcurtainnelly · 03/01/2026 15:03

There's a big volunteer recruitment drive for magistrates at the moment?
Does it interest you?

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 03/01/2026 15:30

I do something similar - the preparation time is intense - doing research and checking the law etc
Then often on the day people don’t turn up or case gets adjourned and all that time I’ve spent is wasted

paddleboardingmum · 03/01/2026 15:29

Not my cup of tea as it seems a bit 'busybody' and I'm indecisive anyway.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/01/2026 15:27

Yes

Oldandgreyer · 03/01/2026 15:27

I looked before Christmas. I do wonder if my ex-h's conviction would go against me.
You have to go and look at courts before you apply.

Teado · 03/01/2026 15:22

Is it paid or voluntary ?

justasking111 · 03/01/2026 15:20

My husband was asked to consider it. Received all the paperwork, a book to read. The friend said that he'd have to be prepared to suspend punishment because the prisons were too full. He decided that he was not a suitable candidate because he was a hang em high type.

Sidebeforeself · 03/01/2026 15:19

I definitely fear reprisals. I walked past our local courts the other day and gods knows what had gone one but there were several horrible people jeering and shouting that they’d got off. I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of them

CinnamonSwirlLatte · 03/01/2026 15:18

I would, but I can't because I work in a prison

Twirlyhockey · 03/01/2026 15:17

Yeah, I looked into it a while ago. I thought it would be good as I was younger and cool and female, and now I'm old and crotchety and middle class and white and female and own a big house and tut at people twoc-ing Lime bikes, so i thought i might not be what they needed. But it still appeals. as would those I judge, ahah

Springonway1 · 03/01/2026 15:16

There was an article about this last year. They are looking for people of colour, people under the age of 50, people who are in "blue collar jobs" ie not white collar, people who are disabled. No private school. If you don't tick any of those boxes don't bother applying.

Such a shame as (for example) its people who may have retired at 55 or 60 that have the free time to be magistrates as their kids may have all grown up.

IfIwasabluebird · 03/01/2026 15:14

"worried about potential retaliation to be honest." Same. Even if I could mentally deal with it the fact that many culprits would live in my estate would prevent me from doing it.
I was asked if I'd consider being a local councillor once, I pointed out I'd get a brick through my window quite quickly.

twilightcafe · 03/01/2026 15:13

Only if it wasn't in my local court.
I think I'd have to sell up and leave town otherwise.

BeforeSigourneyWeaverTheyWoveTheirOwnSigourneys · 03/01/2026 15:12

No, I would love the bit of looking through evidence and the details, but in reality I would think that someone would piss me off and that would sway me more than any evidence would.

Same as if someone who wronged me in the distant past, or who had wronged one of my kids in some way.

I'm too petty to be in that kind of role.

user1471538275 · 03/01/2026 15:11

I could and would consider it. How do you know if your local area needs Magistrates? I have a Magistrates court within cycling distance of me.

WarIsPeace · 03/01/2026 15:09

I have been seeing adverts and I'm a very nosey person and very keen on justice. However I live in a fairly mixed area and would be worried about potential retaliation to be honest.

FollowSpot · 03/01/2026 15:08

No.

I think it would involve lots of detailed understanding of small print, and mostly be incredibly boring and / or depressing.

I have spent time sitting in magistrates courts. Endless tedious bureaucratic licensing applications and endless cases of bad behaviour by the under educated, boorish, thuggish, thick and nasty. And those who made a mistake.

Plus I would find it too hard not to exclaim "FFS, what were you thinking?"

Swiftie1878 · 03/01/2026 15:04

Kind of!