If you are attending a magistrates’ court
- Support Through Court: a free to use service which supports people going through court proceedings without legal representation.
- The Family Court Without a Lawyer: a free guidance website written by family barrister Lucy Reed. Includes videos and written guides to prepare you for attending family court without a lawyer.
- Victim Support: an independent charity providing free and confidential support for victims of crime, including going to court.
- Court and tribunal finder: a free government webtool where you can find your nearest court and court contact information.
Finding legal advice
- Advice Local: directory run by the charity rightsnet. Provides tailored information about legal advice available in your area.
- Advice Now: an independent charity providing free guidance on a range of law-related issues like family separation, criminal charges and employment issues.
- Childlaw Advice: an independent website run by the legal children’s charity Coram group. Their free advice covers family and youth courts.
- Citizens Advice Bureau: an independent charity providing guidance including guides on common legal issues.
- Law Centres Network: directory of law centres which provide free drop in advice across England and Wales.
- LawWorks Clinics: an alternative directory of law centres which provide free drop in advice across England and Wales.
More about the law, judiciary and courts
- HM Courts and Tribunals Service: government website providing guidance and operational information.
- Judicial College: an independent arm’s-length body that is responsible for the training of the judiciary, including magistrates.
- gov.uk: browse new and existing legislation, free to view.
- National archives: case law: a free collection of case law from England and Wales.
For current and prospective magistrates
- I can be a magistrate: register your interest in applying to the magistracy and find out about the application process.
- eJudiciary: online information about expenses, accessing judicial intranet, and judicial training.
- Sentencing Guidelines for use in Magistrates’ Court: all the Sentencing Guidelines and other materials magistrates need when sentencing offenders in court.
- Bench books: comprehensive guides for each magistrate’s court jurisdiction (youth, adult, family and a cross cutting guide on equal treatment) produced by the Judicial College.
Retired magistrates
We have compiled a list of external opportunities for retired magistrates. These are mainly voluntary but some attract expenses and occasionally a salary.