MA Special Interest Groups

The MA is working to recognise and bring together magistrates who are also members of groups we believe to be underrepresented within both the MA and the magistracy, as a whole. We have formed Special Interest Groups (SIGs) which will allow these members to network and discuss issues specific to them. These are the only groups of this kind that exist for the magistracy.

They exist to:

  • Provide opportunities for magistrates from underrepresented groups to network with their peers across the country;
  • Generate discourse around the issues affecting magistrates from underrepresented groups (who are members of the MA) and advise, inform and work with MA HQ to address these issues; and
  • To advise and inform the work of MA HQ with the relevant government bodies on the creation of routes to the recruitment and retention of magistrates from underrepresented groups.
     

Each group is governed by an elected executive comprising a Chair and two Deputy Chairs.

Please note that you must be an MA member to participate in an MA Special Interest Group. Click here to join us!

 

MA Young Magistrates Special Interest Group

The first of these to be launched was the Young Magistrates Special Interest Group (YMSIG), which comprises members under the age of 40. It was launched in April 2019 and has undertaken a series of successful activities since then.

Please click here to learn more.

As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we spoke to Luke, the group's chair, about what he has gained from his experience of volunteering as a young magistrate, as well as his hopes for the future of the magistracy. Read the interview here.

To contact the executive directly, please email YMSIG@magistrates-association.org.uk

 

MA LGBT+ Group

The MA LGBT+ Group was launched in February 2020. It comprises all MA members who identify as members of the LGBT+ community. Over the next year, the executive is working to ensure: 

  • The MA is an inclusive environment where LGBT+ members feel welcomed and represented
  • LGBT+ magistrates are fairly represented in the MA and across the magistracy
     

Due to the events of 2020, many of the group’s planned activities for 2020 have been cancelled or postponed.
 

LGBT+ Group Executive

  • Tom Quarton Manuel, Chair
  • Mark Leith, Deputy Chair
  • Dan Longman, Deputy Chair
     

As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we sat down with the group’s chair, Tom, to find out more about his experience of volunteering as a magistrate, and how important representation is. Read the interview here.

To contact the executive directly or request more information on the LGBT+ Group, please email LGBT@magistrates-association.org.uk

 

MA Magistrates with Disabilities Special Interest Group

The MA Magistrates with Disabilities Special Interest Group (MWD SIG) was launched in August 2020. The executive was elected in September and is currently creating a programme of activities for the next two years.

MWD SIG Executive

  • David Rose, Chair
  • Christine Chamberlain, Deputy Chair
  • Nora Sopworth, Deputy Chair
     

As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we spoke to the group's chair, David, to  learn more about his experience of volunteering as a magistrate, as well as the aims of the group. Read the interview here.

To contact the executive directly or request more information on the MWD SIG, please email MWDSIG@magistrates-association.org.uk

 

MA Black Asian Minority Ethnic Special Interest Group

The MA Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Special Interest Group (BAME SIG) was launched in November 2020. The executive was elected in December 2020 and is currently creating a programme of activities for the next two years.

BAME SIG Executive

  • Jacqui MacDonald-Davis and Doreen Huijssoon-Prescott, Co-chairs
  • Shereen Williams, Deputy Chair
  • Dawn Gibbons, Deputy Chair
     

As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we spoke to the group's co-chairs, Jacqui and Doreen, to ask them about their experiences of volunteering as magistrates, the importance of representation in the magistracy, and the group’s plans for the future. Read the interview here.

To contact the executive directly or request more information on the BAME SIG, please email BAME@magistrates-association.org.uk .

Please note that you must be an MA member to participate in an MA Special Interest Group. Click here to join us!