We need more feminist magistrates

[IAmNotAGirl]

More magistrates are urgently needed and they want more variety, there are lots of articulate women on here

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10433569/Officials-search-4-000-new-magistrates-huge-recruitment-drive-beat-case-backlog-courts.html

Although I would dispute your claim that they are a tiny minority. As evidence seems to suggest that upwards of half a million are now identifying as trans in the UK. Which isnt really that small at all. Enough to present a significant risk to women when transwomen are using women's spaces. With many trans people and their allies pushing these changes, I would say that they are still quite well represented in positions of power.
I would also say you are wrong to describe them as a persecuted minority, certainly in the UK. Indeed, many of them seem to have rights that mere ordinary people could only dream of

My daughter applied in January and has got through to the interview stage. She is in her early 20s. There are only 88 magistrates under 30 years old in the UK out of 17,000. 50% of magistrates are over 60.

Any advice from current magistrates or legal advisers welcome.

I’m a magistrate, have made it very clear to my bench chair & mentor (and everyone I meet through JP duties) that mixed sex prisons are dangerous for women. Am particularly angry that the MA (magistrates association) who are an independent body & could hold the government to account on this, refuse to. Was tempted to resign in protest about women’s prisons being mixed sex but hope to accomplish change from within…what is scary is the number of magistrates that have no idea womens prisons are not single sex. It can seem daunting to apply but there are online resources… the judicial system is definitely written by men for men.

I'm definitely interested. Someone else in my family has suggested this to me before actually. I don't know if I'm confident enough though.

@bishophaha

I'm definitely interested. Someone else in my family has suggested this to me before actually. I don't know if I'm confident enough though.

Go for it!

If a family member has suggested it they think you’re capable so just do it. Let your lack of confidence mean you get a reputation for being a thoughtful thorough magistrate

@Bowbridge Good luck to your daughter! The Mags Association has a “special interest” group set up for young magistrates - part of the remit of the group is to identify barriers to younger people becoming magistrates, to recruit more and to support those already in the role. There are challenges and she will be in the minority but things are changing. If you or her have any questions feel free to PM me.

@Squirrelonwheels DD has her interview tomorrow. I will let you know how she gets on. Any last minute advice?!

Download the information on how to prepare for the interview-its available online. Good luck-just be honest & calm

This has reminded me. The advice is that you're expected to visit your local courts having pre-arranged visits with them.

Approx. 20 emails later, the local courts have never responded to enquiries so I'm sorry to report I'm not even off the starting blocks.

DD phoned the local magistrate court and was told the courts were not open to the public due to Covid restrictions (Jan 2022), but as a prospective magistrate she was very welcome to visit. She spoke to security on arrival, explained that she was a prospective magistrate and she was welcomed and told which courts were sitting.

A short while later an usher came in and found her to say a trial was due to start in another court that she would find interesting. So she moved courts and sat through the entire trial.

After visiting, she was keener than ever to apply.

I had an interview last week and have been recommended for appointment. Just waiting for confirmation from the regional group at their next meeting and my DBS check to come through.

My advice for interviews is to use the preparatory material, remain calm and be honest. I was honest to a question I was sure was about to disqualify me but it didn’t. I actually quite enjoyed the process and am looking forward to the next stages (hopefully!).

if you have any sort of inclination to do it, go view the court (as a potential magistrate). The security and ushers were so incredibly helpful and welcoming - the experience was very easy. Between cases the magistrates on the bench even asked me if I had any questions! It takes all sorts so don’t talk yourself out of it - let the panel decide!

Scotland has Justices of the Peace who are lay magistrates. They sit in District Courts with a legal advisor.

In Scotland it is the Crown who decides which court (District, Sheriff or High Court) will hear a case and , at Sheriff Court level whether it will be solemn - with a jury, or summary- no jury. District Court never has a jury, High Court always has. The accused has no say in any of this.

Please don't wait to be emailed back by the courts, just turn up and explain you are a potential magistrate wishing to observe proceedings. The ushers/list callers will look after you. Go with a friend if that helps.

Thank you all.

I shall book a day off and do this because I've lost a lot of time already.

DD had her interview today. It was a 50 minute grilling, harder than anything she had ever experienced before... digging deep into character, morality and prejudices. It was via Teams and she said when it was over she shut her laptop and cried with relief! Then she went out for a walk, whatsapped us saying it was awful and there was no way she would get through to the second interview stage.

One hour later, she had an email to say she was through to the second interview (in 1.5 hrs time) and would be sent a case study and a crime ranking exercise. She had 40 minutes to do these then a further 50 minute interview that she felt went well.

There were 3 on the panel and an observer.

DD should hear in 5 days whether she has been successful.

That sounds nerve wracking, Bowbridge, well done to your DD for getting through both rounds.

👏 🤞

Well, they did not keep DD waiting for 5 days, she heard at 9.30 this morning that she is being:

'recommended for appointment to the Senior Presiding Judge as a magistrate.'

So proud 😊(I did say she was in her early 20's - she is actually 21).

I have been looking to apply for years now…never seem to be any vacancies in my areas. It seems like the shortages are limited to certain areas. Oh well…I keep checking in about once per year.

Many congratulations to your fabulous DD!

That's such an achievement. I'm vicariously proud of this excellent young woman.

I'm going to call the local court on Monday and arrange a visit.

I know this thread will continue to rumble on but, as I’m just a handful of posts after Bowbridge’s, I loved the happy ending. 😄 Only 21? That’s brilliant! 👏

Well done your daughter!

How do I find out if they are looking for more magistrates in my area? This is something I have thought about before, though I might have missed the currebf recruitment drive given this thread was started a while ago.

Magistrate vacancies website
I've just checked that there are vacancies in my area & there are. I'm seriously considering it

Ugh that link is messy, it does work though