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
12 March 2026
Wider justice system
So it's goodnight from me...
In May 2021, Tom Franklin joined the Magistrates’ Association as its new Chief Executive. This month, Tom is leaving the MA for a well-earned retirement and, in this blog, we look at some of his achievements, the memories of people he’s worked with and his own thoughts on his time with us.
6 March 2026
Practicalities of being a magistrate women
International Women's Day: Gender equality in the magistracy
To mark International Women's Day 2026, we asked some of our female trustees about their journeys to become magistrates and the importance of having diverse voices and experiences in the judiciary.
27 February 2026
Happy St. David's Day to all Welsh magistrates
The Magistrates' Association wishes Welsh people everywhere a happy St. David's Day for Sunday 1 March.
24 February 2026
Wider justice system
Extra funding for magistrates' courts welcome, but more still to do
The Magistrates' Association has welcomed the announcement by the Justice Secretary David Lammy, of an additional £247 million funding for the crown and magistrates’ courts.
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 240 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
- Online
New magistrate webinar
If you are a magistrate who is relatively new, or going through the process of applying to become a magistrate then you might want to attend this webinar.
This webinar is designed to talk to both members and non-members about who the Magistrates' Association (MA) is, what we do and how we do it. National Chair, David Ford JP and CEO Catherine Feast will introduce the MA, and there will then be an opportunity to speak with others who have just become magistrates, or who are going through the process of becoming one.
Come along and meet the team, please do invite people you think might benefit.
To register, please follow this Zoom link.
- Online
Branch executive induction
If you are part of a branch executive and have not yet attended an induction, we encourage you to book onto a session. If the scheduled dates are not suitable, please contact Lisa Whitehead at [email protected]
to arrange a time that works for you.
The induction covers practical support to help you shape your branch, communicate effectively with your members, understand the MA membership offer, and set your branch up to thrive.
You will meet with Lisa Whitehead, Head of Membership, Events and Branch Development, who will guide you through the online area for branch executives and discuss any branch-related questions or challenges you may have.
- Online
Islamophobia awareness webinar – Stop Hate
This Islamophobia Awareness webinar will be run by UK charity 'Stop Hate UK'.
You will learn what hate crimes and hate incidents are, the impact of hate crime, Islamophobia in the UK (with contextual examples), Islamophobia and the press , the impact of secularism and about online hate and how it contributes to Islamophobia.
Our year in numbers
Between July 2024 and June 2025, we were busy influencing on behalf of our members and building opportunities for them to learn, develop and connect.
20
webinars on topics from child exploitation to the Probation service
830
new members joined us during the year
13
consultation responses and one advocacy report published
233
learning resources on MA learn, our online magistrates' training hub
3
parliamentary committee appearances
118
meetings with MoJ ministers and officials, the judiciary and others
58200
people engaged with by our 'Magistrates in the Community' teams
4
issues of Magistrate magazine published
2345
pieces of digital, print and broadcast media coverage secured
80700
visitors to our website
4
workshops for new magistrates held
84%
of our members said they would recommend MA membership to others
78%
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 240 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
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- women
International Women’s Day: Gender equality in the magistracy
