We need more feminist magistrates

If the feminist magistrates here would care to give some form filling guidance etc., I'd hope there would be some keen people paying close attention.

I’m a feminist magistrate too! And also on the domestic abuse panel for the same reason as @Asterales (waves)

Oh my good god OP, thank you for this thread! I'm a magistrate (and a feminist, incidentally) and I have made a point of making myself available to sit in the domestic violence courts for the simple reason that many, many of my colleagues are reactionary, sheltered, misogynist dinosaurs who don't have the first clue about the reality of people's lives and more worryingly have absolutely no interest in learning about them. I know a couple of fantastic women on my bench, but the magistracy as a whole is crying out for (normal, non-incredibly-priviliged) women, and especially for independent-minded, strong, feminist women. If anyone reading has the time and the interest in it, please do consider doing this. I'm happy to answer any questions via DM.

Sure, within such a context, but what we need is a reform of the legal system. It's outrageous that in England and Wales (no magistrates in Scotland, I don't know about Northern Ireland, sorry) we have sentencing done by people who are not lawyers and do not know the law. Yes, they have a little training (pitifully little); yes, they have a legal advisor to whom they do not have to listen; it's not enough.

The Secret Barrister's first book devotes a chapter to the grim tale of the magistrates' court (2018). You have a 23 % greater chance of conviction in the magistrates than in the crown court; if you're in for an offence that could go to either, better to elect the crown court even though this opens you up to a risk of a longer sentence. It gives some 'charming' summing up stories: aside from the obvious near conviction of a non-existant crime, the apparently ubiquitous phrase "we preferred the evidence of the prosecution witness" says it all. Beyond reasonable doubt? Where's that?

That's actually a bloody good idea.

I'm probably a bit long in the tooth to do much for the average age, but I shall pick the brains of a legal friend.