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
9 January 2026
Practicalities of being a magistrate Wider justice system
MA members in New Year Honours List
Three members were honoured for services to the magistracy and justice.
19 December 2025
Wider justice system
We comment on the growing court backlogs
The Magistrates' Association comments on the latest criminal court statistics covering July to September 2025.
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.
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
- 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.
- Online
Cultural understanding of Gypsy and Traveller communities webinar
You should attend this webinar to hear from Sam Worrall, Criminal Justice Policy Officer for the charity - 'Friends, Families and Travellers'.
She will update us on their recently published 'Trapped in the Turnstile' report and outline details of their next project which focusses on looking at the cultural understanding magistrates and other court staff have of Gypsy and Traveller communities.
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 230 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
