Training and support

The MA supports its members by providing valuable training and guidance

Training

In addition to the general training magistrates receive, the MA provides a range of innovative learning resources to help enhance the work of our members. These include workbooks and e-learning modules. We also publish other supporting information, such as ‘cut out and keep’ guides and sentencing steps on new or complex legislation in MAGISTRATE magazine.

Recent training materials produced include:

• Winger Workbooks workbooks and e-learning
• In-court review e-learning
• Youth Court Communication Skills e-learning
• MA cut out and keep guides

(Please note you will need to be a member to log in and access the materials).

The MA has its own dedicated Training Committee  which develops MA policy relating to all aspects of magistrates' training and steers associated research, development and implementation. The Training Committee is also represented at key committees relating to the provision of Magistrate training such as the Judicial Colleges Magisterial Criminal Sub Committee (MCSC) and the Justices’ Clerks’ Society Training Committee. 

Further support

Beyond training, the MA also provides other support and updates to its members by:

• Issuing regular law updates and explanation of new law and procedures through our fortnightly email news bulletin
• Publishing MAGISTRATE magazine six times a year with topical articles, interviews, training items, legal updates, sentencing steps, case digests and guidance on issues relating to the role of magistrates
• Updating members on branch news through a fortnightly branch-led email news bulletin
• Issuing regular updates on national and MA developments
• Organising and delivering branch and regional conferences across England and Wales
• Providing MA branches with an Events Toolkit and a Press Toolkit to support their activities
• Hosting events for our siting and retired members
• Conducting research to make sure the experience and knowledge of our members is at the heart of our policy positions, and to make sure they are receiving the support they need
• Ensuring the independent voice of the magistracy is represented by issuing regular parliamentary briefings, commenting in the media on relevant news stories and publishing consultation responses