Learn about magistrates
Magistrates make many of the legal decisions in England and Wales.
We exist to help the magistracy be its best for all of society
We're the only membership body and independent voice for magistrates. We promote the sound administration of the law, campaign on policy and practice relating to the magistracy, provide support and development guidance to magistrates, and inform the public about the magistracy and the justice system
16 December 2025
Celebrating our members with the annual MA awards
An annual tradition, the Magistrates’ Association’s awards are an opportunity for members and branches to recognise those who have gone the extra mile for their branch, their community, or the MA.
16 December 2025
Magistrates' Association appoints new Chief Executive
The Magistrates’ Association will have a new Chief Executive in March 2026.
15 December 2025
Wider justice system
Sentencing Council 2026 data collection – how are magistrates sentencing dangerous driving?
In this guest blog, Lady Justice May, Chair of the Sentencing Council, explains why the Sentencing Council will be collecting data on serious driving offences in magistrates' courts next year.
15 December 2025
Wider justice system
A vote of confidence for magistrates: the Leveson review
The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts – also known as the Leveson Review – recommended radical reform of the courts – and the government’s response is arguably more radical still. In this blog, our Chief Executive Tom Franklin explores our role in shaping the review, and what we think will happen next.
Where would you like to go?
Here are some pages you might like to visit
Visit MA learn
We provide tools to develop magistrates’ knowledge and skills. Our member-only learning hub, MA learn, contains more than 200 high-quality resources.
Search our publications library
Browse our advocacy reports, briefing notes, consultation responses and position statements published to support our policy work.
Get updates on news and influencing
We advocate on behalf of our members and inform others about the vital role of the magistracy.
Get involved
Attend an event, join a diversity and inclusion network, participate in our community outreach initiative, volunteer for us, recruit a new member or leave us a gift.
Upcoming events
Retired Member Christmas Lunch
Our upcoming retired members’ event will be the annual Christmas lunch on Tuesday 16 December 2025. The Bunch of Grapes in London has been booked from 12.30-4pm. We anticipate this will be an afternoon full of good food, conversation and Christmas cheer.
- Online
Karen Canner – Making honours nominations
You should attend this webinar to hear Karen Canner from the Ministry of Justice explain the guidelines and procedures for nominating magistrates for Honours, like an OBE or MBE.
- Online
Restorative Solutions webinar – What is restorative justice?
You should attend this webinar to learn about restorative justice.
Restorative Solutions will be joining us to talk about how restorative justice can create an opportunity for those harmed by harm or conflict, and those responsible for the harm, to communicate what happened, share the impact and agree a positive way forward.
Our year in numbers
Between July 2022 and June 2023, we've been busy influencing on behalf of and building opportunities for our members to learn, develop and connect.
1
new learning hub with 200 top-notch resources launched
10
webinars on topics from domestic abuse to community sentencing held
11
consultation responses and two advocacy reports published
3
parliamentary committee appearances completed
5
meetings with ministers held to influence on behalf of our members
6
issues of Magistrate magazine published
316
pieces of digital, print and broadcast media coverage landed
178228
website visitors secured
95823
people reached on LinkedIn
421200
people reached on X (formerly Twitter)
1
new support line manned by experienced magistrates launched
3
workshops for new magistrates held
200
members welcomed at our annual conference and awards ceremony
87%
of our members said they would recommend MA membership to others
87%
of our members said they think MA membership is good value for money
Become a member
As a member, you’ll get access to a wealth of benefits to assist you to be the best magistrate you can be, including:
- A learning hub with over 200 resources
- Monthly webinars on topical issues
- A support line run by fellow magistrates
- Engaging e-newsletters and our magazine
- Events where you can meet colleagues
Latest blogs and news
- Wider justice system
Sentencing Council 2026 data collection – how are magistrates sentencing dangerous driving?
