Magistrates’ Application

[mjb22]

Apologies if this is in the wrong thread, or if there is a more appropriate one.

I first applied to be a Magistrate back in July 2023. I passed the online assessments and had an interview online on 4th July. I was fortunate enough to “pass” this interview and after completing the DBS processes, I was told on August 8th that my application would be passed to the “Quorum” and I would be informed if I was being recommended for appointment.

in addition to finding this whole process agonisingly slow, does anyone else have any experience in relation to the kind of timelines I can expect to be subjected to here?

Does anyone know how long I might have to wait to hear now? Anyone any idea how many people are actually accepted at this stage? And what happens after this?

I have recently noticed that my area is opening another application window in January, so that might suggest that there is a shortage in the area (?)

I would be mightily unhappy if my application was rejected at this stage, but I understand that this does sometimes happen.

can anyone throw any light on this situation for me? Thank you.

A friend went through a very similar frustratingly slow acceptance process.

I know because I suggested she apply to become a magistrate and I supplied her reference. Once finally accepted there was an equally slow training process. She is now a magistrate but gets frustrated by hearings being cancelled at short notice because of a lack of family clerks or by papers for final hearing family cases not being sent etc. I am feeling guilty for suggesting she apply to become a magistrate.

Every area is different in terms of application process times and procedure but I suspect they are all rather slow and frustrating. I hope you eventually get approved.

Thanks very much for your reply. I guess I’m just going to have to sit tight and wait, but it is an incredibly frustrating process and to get rejected at the end of this, would be really irritating!

A friend applied and the whole process took 18 months until she was sworn in. It's absolutely ridiculous especially as there is a shortage. You just have to wait, it is painfully slow.

It is very slow, I applied in Jan of 2022. I was accepted in Jan 2023. By the time I did he training and was sworn it, it was April 2023. My first sitting was in Jun 2023. So 18 months sounds right.

Yep... like every other part of the justice system, it's very slow. Think it took 12-18 months from application to getting sworn in when I joined.

You need a lot of patience to be a magistrate so think of it as good practice!

Thank you for your reply. Do you remember how long it was between being told you had passed the interview to the formal acceptance?

@mjb22 sorry, it was ten years ago so I don't remember! Do you have any contact details for anyone? No harm in dropping them an email just to find out what's going on.

I have passed the Magistrate Assessment and now have an interview on Teams next week. In the confirmation email it says "to join click on the following link" - there is no link. It came from no reply email address. I will find another email address. However I also received a cancellation of the interview notification and then yet another confirmation! Has anyone else had an experience like this?

No, I didn’t have those problems now.

things have moved on for me in that I have now formally been appointed as a JP.

Not started in Court yet and am still waiting for the local offices to get back to me.

Good luck with the interview.