Could you be a magistrate?

[Netcurtainnelly]

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

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!

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 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!

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 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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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)

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

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

I’d love to, but can’t take all that time off work

I understand, thanks for replying

I wish I had it in me, but I don't. 20 years ago I might have been good at it. I knew 2 people who became magistrates, both of whom were total wankers!

Did you have to visit a prison?

I didn't as I applied only to family court. However, due to work I've visited several prisons anyway in my life.

I want to do this.

My area are advertising (I've just checked). I'm not 50 until later this year, so just meet the under represented group.

I'm a senior safeguarding and attendance lead - will this discount me? I do send families to magistrate Court for non-attendance.

I do salary sacrifice
I have to offer availability of 30 dates a year but only have to sit 15
Generally do 2-4 days a month which I enjoy and is a bit of variety from my day job
OP look at other options including mental health tribunals, GMC panels etc, for voluntary work try Citizens advice or look up your local law clinics
I used to be an appropriate adult in police custody suites too

Yes I would love to. But I have a job, so not yet