Becoming a magistrate

[ToryStelling]

Does anyone have any experience of this?

It’s something I’ve been considering for a while. My late uncle was a magistrate for years and was really fulfilled by it. I was only a child at the time so I never got the chance to ask him about it in more detail.

I definitely think I fit the criteria. I have a genuine interest in our criminal justice system and often wish I had taken a different career path. In my current job I have an acute awareness of social/criminal issues in my local community, but I don’t have direct involvement IYSWIM.

I also work FT Mon-Fri. Would this be an issue? I know that legally my employer would need to give me the time off (even unpaid), but it looks like I would need to commit to 1-2 days every month which would be quite a lot of days when I wouldn’t be in work.

Any insights from anyone who is a magistrate or knows one would be great.

Dh is a magistrate. There are courts open on a Saturday. Once qualified you can block out dates you cannot do. The minimum requirement is 13 days per year sitting.

You will have to commit to sit for 13 days per year plus all of the training that is required before you can sit so you really need to be committed to it. You don't have to sit every month but it is better to sit regularly so that you keep your skills up.
Check out the guidance on the Magistrates Association website.