Associate member
If you’re not a magistrate yet, but are interested in what our members do, this is the option for you. As well as the benefits above, you'll get support in your journey to becoming a magistrate.
On this page
Why join?
Whether you are already sitting as a magistrate, are thinking of applying to be a magistrate, have applied, or even if you’ve retired from the bench, you can still join the Magistrates’ Association (MA). Our members have sat, or currently sit, in the adult, family and youth courts, and – regardless of their jurisdiction – enjoy a range of benefits, including:
- Regular emails with all the latest MA news and important sector updates
- Webinars and events on topical issues, from child exploitation to domestic abuse to the family courts
- Tailored members-only content on our website on a wide range of interesting and important subjects
- Having your voice heard, through our advocacy and media work on behalf of our members
- Exclusive access to MA learn, our online learning hub, with over 240 learning resources to help you develop your knowledge and skills
- Our exclusive members’ magazine, Magistrate, four times a year
- Membership of your local MA branch, where you can meet and network with other magistrates in your area
- Opportunities to extend your volunteering, for example, in your local branch, or by joining one of our policy committees, or by playing an active role in promoting what magistrates do to the public
- A support line run by experienced magistrates
And all for just a few pounds per month!
Sitting magistrates aren’t automatically enrolled!
A lot of new magistrates tell us they think they automatically become an MA member when they are sworn-in. But that isn’t true: you have to join the MA yourself to get all the above benefits. Click or tap on the button below to apply.
Benefits of membership
We connect
Our network of branches, right, across England and Wales, and our programme of useful and interesting events, help our members to meet, collaborate and network with each other.
We develop
Our tools help you develop your knowledge and skills. MA learn, our learning hub for members, is regularly updated and has more than 240 high-quality resources for adult, family and youth magistrates.
We influence
We're the only collective and independent voice of the magistracy. We advocate on behalf of our members and inform the public and media about the vital work that magistrates do.
We inform
Our members' magazine, regular email newsletter and our tireless media activity, makes us a key source of news, updates and opinions on issues relevant to magistrates.
We support
Our exclusive support line for members gives you peer support when being a magistrate feels tough.
Our membership options
Sitting member
All the benefits above, plus the opportunity to shape the MA’s influencing activities, and educate others about the vital role of the magistracy.
Retired member
If you've retired from the bench, you can still join the MA. You can get the benefits above, attend retired member events, shape our influencing work, and share your knowledge with other magistrates.
Subsidised member
For students and those with low incomes (based upon receipt of a defined list of means-tested benefits or proof of time-limited full-time study), you’ll access the same benefits as sitting members.
What our members say
The MA provides support and easily digestible materials that are essential to keeping my knowledge of current practice and my skills as a magistrate up-to-date.
Being a member of the MA provides great opportunities to meet other magistrates and to share experience and knowledge. I have found it very beneficial and would definitely advise all JPs to join.
I very much appreciate being an associate member of the Magistrates’ Association, particularly because becoming a magistrate can be such a lengthy process. I have found the MA’s magazine and learning hub to be invaluable resources at this stage, and I have enjoyed speaking with other new magistrates via the webinars it puts on.
Irene Findlay JP