AGM and Conference 2025
This page has information about our AGM and conference 2025 - taking place in-person, at Lancaster University on Saturday 22 November - including the keynote sessions, breakout discussions, roundtables, lunch, and more. We will update this page as details are confirmed.
AGM
The MA’s Annual General Meeting will be held before the main conference opens. Members will vote on motions and we’ll formally thank outgoing National Chair, Mark Beattie JP for his outstanding service. Here are the AGM papers that you need:
Conference agenda – The Great Hall – Lancaster University
This year’s theme is: The voice of victims — is the balance right? We’ll be exploring how effectively our courts support victims, and whether the justice system is striking the right balance.
Timings (subject to change):
8:00am: coffee/registration
9:00am: AGM
10:00am Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill- with Q & A
10:30am: Dame Vera Baird KC – Former Victim’s Commissioner
11:00am:Break
11:25am: Alexia Fetherstonhaugh JP
11:30am: Roundtable discussion – with Johanna Robinson, Sion Hall, Tracy Sortwell JP and Alexia Fetherstonhaugh JP – chaired by Jacqui MacDonald-Davis JP
12:15pm: Senior Presiding Judge – Lord Justice Green
12:45pm: Lunch
13:45pm: Breakouts
14:45pm: Break
15:00pm: Katie Kempen – CEO Victim’s Support
15:30pm: Sarah Sackman KC MP – Minister for State for Courts and Legal Services
16:00pm: – Final address by new Chair, David Ford JP
4:15pm: Conference ends.
Our speakers include:
- The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill
- Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister of State for Courts
- Dame Vera Baird KC, former Victims Commissioner
- Katie Kempen, CEO, Victim Support
- Alexia Fetherstonhaugh JP, National Leadership Magistrate
- Johanna Robinson, Wales National Advisor on Violence Against Women
- Sion Hall, Chair, Pan Lancashire Anti-Slavery Project.
Breakout sessions
Please click the session's name to see more information.
A fireside chat with the Chief Inspector of Probation and CEO of Victim’s Support
Join Martin Jones CBE, Chief Inspector of Probation and Karen Kempen, CEO of Victim’s Support for a conversation about the role of probation in supporting victims. This session will explore how magistrates can engage with victims in court, the Victim Contact Scheme, and how engagement may change following proposed reforms from the Sentencing and Leveson Reviews.
This session takes place in the Great Hall.
Views from both sides of the bench
Caroline Howard JP and Lisa Clark JP from Cumbria Magistrates’ Association, together with Nichola McDougall from Owl Blue will share insights from their project to support neurodiverse magistrates in the family court. Developed with MA support, their project includes practical advice and resources to improve court environments. Discover practical tools and resources — including their newly developed booklet — and explore how to make benches more inclusive.
This session takes place in Bowland North – Seminar Room 20
https://link.mazemap.com/e7kL5uvN
Look out for staff members to help you find your way.
Chaired by Val Castell JP, Chair of our Youth Courts Committee, this session features;
StreetDoctors, a national charity working to reduce street violence by empowering young people to be part of the solution – we are joined by
Oasis Navigator who work to end disadvantage and create opportunity for all, providing education, housing, health, justice, youth and family support.
Hear from Preston-based trainers about how their interventions are changing lives and helping to challenge assumptions around who victims are in cases of serious youth offending.
This takes place in Bowland North Seminar Room 23
A075, Bowland North, Lancaster University campus – MazeMap
Please look out for staff members who will help guide your way.
Step into Lancaster University’s mock courtroom in this hands-on session showcasing the MA’s flagship outreach initiative. Learn how Magistrates in the Community reached over 39,000 people across England and Wales last year, as members visited schools and community groups to raise awareness about the magistracy. Find out how the programme works — and how you can get involved. With Rachel Medcalf JP, Debbie Topping JP and Jo Cottingham, Learning and Development Officer at the Magistrates’ Association.
This takes place at the Mock Court
LB01, Faraday Complex, Lancaster University campus – MazeMap
Please look out for staff members to help you find your way.
Awards
Like at our previous conferences, we will also be recognising members who have gone the extra mile for their branch, the community, or the Magistrates’ Association, with our annual awards. Find out more and how to make nominations.
Lunch options
8:00am – Tea, coffee, orange and apple juice with mini gourmandises
11:00am – Tea, coffee and biscuits
12:45pm – Hot fork lunch
Vegetable lasagne (V)
Beef lasagne
Free from wild mushroom and tomato pasta bake (V)(VG)(GF)(DF)
Garlic bread
Served with homemade coleslaw (V) and garden salad (V)(VG)(GF)(DF)
Bowl of fresh fruit
Tea, Coffee and Orange juice
Accommodation and travel
Lancaster University
Book online via Lancaster Conferences using code Magistrates2025.
Lancaster House Hotel
Call 0333 220 3107 and quote 1029405 by 31 July to secure discounted rates.
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free shuttle from Lancaster station to the university between 8am and 9:30am.
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free on-site parking available
The venue
The Great Hall Complex (A027)
Lancaster University, Lancaster
View on MazeMap
Please have the map link available on your device when you arrive and follow signage to the Great Hall.
Travel information
By rail
Lancaster station (West Coast Main Line) offers frequent services.
Bus routes 3A and X4 run every 30 minutes (hourly in the evening) from the station to the university, taking around 20 minutes. Alight at the Underpass and walk along the North Spine to the Great Hall Complex.
By car
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closest car park: Bowland Hall
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parking is free for event guests — please register your car using the device at the conference registration desk
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directions: Maps and travel – Lancaster University
Shuttle service from Lancaster train station
If you have indicated on our SurveyMonkey link that you need transport from the train station, please head to Costa Coffee at the train station and you will be met by Celestine Woodham and she’ll direct you to our taxis between 8am and 9:30am on Saturday morning.
After conference finishes, we have a number of minibuses to take those that need lifts from the University to be back at the train station for 5pm-5.30pm. Spaces will be limited – a bus service (4) runs from the University to the train station at 17 minutes past the hour.
Staying on campus5
Campus accommodation
John Creed Building, Lancaster University, LA1 4YD
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check-in: from 3pm (key collection from Guest Services, A013 Bowland Main)
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late arrivals: collect keys from the Security Lodge
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check-out: 10am
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breakfast: 8am in the Market Place , Lancaster University campus – MazeMap
Bag storage will be available in a designated meeting room at the event.
The Great Hall Complex is just a short walk from the accommodation.
Lancaster House Hotel drinks reception
Our local branch is hosting a drinks reception at the hotel on Friday 21 November, between 6 and 8pm. There will be a drink or two on arrival followed by a paid bar. We are delighted to be joined by a number of local dignitaries and will be welcomed in by Lord-lieutenant Mrs Amanda Parker. Smart casual dress wear is fine – please note this event is only for those signed up to conference, or the Big Day Out, but partners can now book on via our booking page.
Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4GJ
Directions to Lancaster House Hotel
Book your place
Want to join us in Lancaster on 22 November?