MA participates in Schools' Question Time MA participates in Schools' Question Time Working with partners to raise awareness of the magistracy 23 May 2022 As a part of the Lord Chief Justice's ongoing schools initiative, Dawn Gibbons (deputy chair of our Black, Asian and minority ethnic network) participated in a Schools' Question Time event co-convened by the Judicial Office and Young Citizens on 9 May 2022. Read more
MA speaks up for members: May 2022 MA speaks up for members: May 2022 A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work 18 May 2022 Every day the Magistrates' Association advocates on behalf of its members. Our national officers, together with our four policy committees and supported by our small staff team, cover a wide range of issues that matter most to our members and represent the organisation on external bodies. Find out what we have been working on most recently. Read more
Five suggestions for coping with loneliness Five suggestions for coping with loneliness A few ideas in honour of Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 13 May 2022 9-15 May 2022 marks Mental Health Awareness Week, an opportunity for us all to help raise awareness of and take steps to support our own and others' mental health. This year's theme is loneliness, so we've compiled some ideas that might help any of our members who are currently experiencing such feelings. Read more
Looking back on a year in post Looking back on a year in post Our CEO reflects on his first 12 months in the hot-seat 10 May 2022 Tom Franklin took up the role of the CEO of the Magistrates' Association at the end of May 2021. As he approaches his first anniversary in post, he reflects on the last 12 months and shares what's on the horizon for the year ahead. Read more
Nominations for MA board vacancies open next month Nominations for MA board vacancies open next month All you need to know about the process 09 May 2022 Fancy helping to oversee the strategic direction of the MA? Familiarise yourself with the board's composition, the positions available this year, and what being a trustee entails. Nominations open in June. Read more
Commencement of increased sentencing powers covered widely by the media Commencement of increased sentencing powers covered widely by the media MA views feature prominently following Royal Assent 06 May 2022 We are pleased that the MA’s views on this historic reform were featured by a wealth of print and online national, local and sector-specific publications. Read more
How we marked Stephen Lawrence Day 2022 How we marked Stephen Lawrence Day 2022 Collaborating with the civil service to promote the magistracy 29 April 2022 Taking place annually on 22 April, Stephen Lawrence Day celebrates the life and legacy of its namesake who was murdered in a racially-motivated attack in 1993. The Home Office kindly invited us to mark this day together. Read more
Personal experiences of being a magistrate shared with the media Personal experiences of being a magistrate shared with the media MA members interviewed by national and local broadcasters 26 April 2022 The MA was proud to see several of its members speaking so passionately about volunteering as a magistrate – encouraging others to follow in their footsteps and raising awareness of the immense contribution magistrates make to their communities. Read more
Former MA chair receives OBE Former MA chair receives OBE John Bache and his wife Anne attend ceremony at Windsor Castle 21 April 2022 John Bache, MA chair from 2017 to 2020, was recognised for his contribution to his community in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on 30 March 2022. Read more
Could you be our North West Judicial Business Group representative? Could you be our North West Judicial Business Group representative? If so, apply by 1 June 2022 19 April 2022 An opportunity to represent the MA on the Judicial Business Group (JBG) for the North West has arisen following the incumbent's successful appointment as a bench chair. We are looking to fill this vacancy as soon as possible; the first JBG meeting is taking place in July. Read more