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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

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An East Asian woman, a Black man and a white man sitting on a magistrates' bench in court

Learn about magistrates

Magistrates make many of the legal decisions in England and Wales.

Visit MA learn

We provide tools to develop magistrates’ knowledge and skills. Our member-only learning hub, MA learn, contains more than 180 high-quality resources.

Search our publications library

Browse our advocacy reports, briefing notes, consultation responses and position statements published to support our policy work.
A camera person films a female journalist interviewing a man in a suit.

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.
Branch members

Get support

We provide peer support when being a magistrate feels tough.

Upcoming events

Retired member Christmas lunch

Our upcoming retired members’ event will be the annual Christmas lunch on Wednesday 11 December 2024. The Warwick in Pimlico has been booked from 1-5pm. The venue is on the ground floor with disability access and we anticipate this will be an afternoon full of good food, conversation and Christmas cheer.
Karen Canner, Honours Secretary at the Ministry of Justice

Nominating magistrates for Honours

Karen Canner, Honours Secretary at the Ministry of Justice will be joining us to explain how to nominate magistrates for honorary titles like Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Karen will explain what the committees look for in nominations and outline the timelines involved.

The domestic homicide timeline: what magistrates need to know

Join leading forensic criminologist Professor Jane Monckton Smith for a whistle-stop tour of the Domestic Homicide Timeline. Professor Monckton Smith from the University of Gloucestershire has researched the deaths of women at the hands of current or former intimate partners and says the evidence shows that there are signs of the risk posed by these perpetrators along the way. On many occasions these signs are missed by criminal justice professionals because of a lack of understanding. The timeline walks through the 7 stages from a history of criminality and abuse through controlling behaviour and through to, in some cases, the death of women. The message is that along the way, the perpetrator will show to the criminal justice system they are a risk to the women they encounter. We just need to know what to look for.

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 120 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 120 resources
  • Monthly webinars on topical issues
  • A support line run by versed magistrates
  • Engaging newsletters and magazines
  • Events where you can meet colleagues

Latest blogs and news

Magistrates
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Half-day sittings: towards a more diverse magistracy

Sentencing Academy logo
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

What do the public know about prisons?

Lord Ponsonby and Mark Beattie JP, national chair of the Magistrates' Association
  • Adult court matters
  • Family court matters
  • Wider justice system

Speaking up for members: November 2024

David Rose is next to a Limbless Association banner
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

My experience of campaigning on disability issues over four decades