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Blogs

Our blogs share the perspectives and views of our members, volunteers and staff on issues relating to the magistracy and wider justice system. We also publish guest pieces from organisations with fresh perspectives on relevant topics. Use the search box or filters to find what you're looking for.

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  • Practicalities of being a magistrate
  • Wider justice system

Our five priorities for the new Justice Secretary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Alex Norris as Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, inheriting the role at a crucial time for the criminal justice system. We are urging Mr Norris to prioritise five key points.
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  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Family court matters
  • Wider justice system

Member spotlight: Pamela Rathbone JP

Pamela Rathbone JP has been a magistrate in the family court since 2025. To mark Pride Month, she shares her experience as a new magistrate and why LGBT+ representation in the judiciary is essential for increasing diversity and representing all in society.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Domestic abuse
  • Family court matters
  • Victims
  • women

Five takeaways from our first Domestic Abuse and Stalking conference

Sarah Butters JP, Domestic Abuse and Stalking Link on the MA’s Adult Crime Committee, writes about her experience organising the MA's first Domestic Abuse and Stalking Conference, which took place in Leeds on Saturday 6 June.
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  • Practicalities of being a magistrate
  • Wider justice system

Magistrates are core to our justice system

For Volunteers' Week, which runs 1-7 June, our Chief Executive Catherine Feast writes in praise of magistrates and their contribution to the justice sector.
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Westminster Magistrates' Court
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

The magistracy – what’s in it for young people?

For Volunteers’ Week, which runs 1-7 June this year, we decided to speak to some young magistrates to find out their motivations for joining the magistracy and whether their age has led to different challenges.
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  • Knife and weapon crime
  • Youth court matters

The role of magistrates in knife crime prevention

Emma Norman is Director of Young People and Families at Catch22, an organisation that works to build resilience and aspiration in people and communities. In this blog, she discusses the Drawing the Line campaign and the role that magistrates can play in the prevention of knife crime.
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  • Knife and weapon crime
  • Youth court matters

Using virtual reality to understand the consequences of knife crime

In this blog, member Jean Carter shares her experience with Virtual Decisions, an educational virtual reality experience that put her in the shoes of a young person arrested for carrying a knife. This piece was originally published in the winter 2025 issue of Magistrate magazine and adapted for the website.
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  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate
  • Wider justice system

Recruitment of new magistrates: The Challenge for 2026

Professor Simon Burtonshaw-Gunn is MA Cheshire Branch Secretary and a Member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace. In this blog, he discusses the challenges that face the government's large-scale magistrate recruitment campaign.
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  • Addictions and drug issues
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

How alcohol complicates sentencing

Dr Carly Lightowlers, Reader in Criminology at the University of Liverpool, discusses how alcohol is a pervasive yet ambiguous factor in sentencing.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Victims
  • women

How can magistrates recognise stalking behaviours

Sarah Butters JP is the Domestic Abuse and Stalking Link on the MA’s Adult Crime Committee and a Trustee at the Alice Ruggles Trust. In this blog, she discusses stalking behaviours, their impact on victims, and the importance of Stalking Protection Orders.
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Image shows the text Neurodiversity Celebration Week 16-20 2026, alongside a brain alongside puzzle pieces
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Our bench is infinitely stronger when perspectives vary

“Neurodiversity is part of human diversity. A bench that reflects different ways of thinking is far better equipped to deliver fair and considered justice” says MA member Charlotte Fordyce, who writes about neurodiversity in this fascinating blog.
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A photo of Tom Franklin, the MA's Chief Executive 2021 to 2026
  • Wider justice system

So it’s goodnight from me…

In May 2021, Tom Franklin joined the Magistrates’ Association as its new Chief Executive. This month, Tom is leaving the MA for a well-earned retirement and, in this blog, we look at some of his achievements, the memories of people he’s worked with and his own thoughts on his time with us.
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Grid of images showing MA trustees Jacqui Macdonald-Davis, Sarah Butters, Sarah Clarke, Val Castell and Tracy Sortwell.
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate
  • women

International Women’s Day: Gender equality in the magistracy

To mark International Women's Day 2026, we asked some of our female trustees about their journeys to become magistrates and the importance of having diverse voices and experiences in the judiciary.
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Image shows two pink speech bubbles overlapping eachother
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Talking about mental health

In this blog, MA member Sonal Dave discusses the importance of communication when it comes to protecting our mental health.
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  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Wider justice system
  • Youth court matters

Autistic children and the court system

In this blog, MA member and retired family and criminal magistrate Anthony Melnikoff JP discusses autistic children and the court system.
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Left: Rob Sassoon and Savannah Hersov Sassoon accept the Employer Award for Imperial College London. Right: Sarah Sawyerr accepts the Inclusion and Social Value Award.

Celebrating our members with the annual MA awards

An annual tradition, the Magistrates’ Association’s awards are an opportunity for members and branches to recognise those who have gone the extra mile for their branch, their community, or the MA.
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Graphic displaying an image of Lady Justice May, Chair of the Sentencing Council, and the words Guest Blog.
  • Wider justice system

Sentencing Council 2026 data collection – sentencing dangerous driving

In this guest blog, Lady Justice May, Chair of the Sentencing Council, explains why the Sentencing Council will be collecting data on serious driving offences in magistrates' courts next year.
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Westminster Magistrates' Court
  • Wider justice system

A vote of confidence for magistrates: the Leveson review

The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts – also known as the Leveson Review – recommended radical reform of the courts – and the government’s response is arguably more radical still. In this blog, exclusively for members, our Chief Executive Tom Franklin explores our role in shaping the review, and what we think will happen next.
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Image shows a conference room filled with people, with a large screen displaying the words 'Conference 2025' on stage
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Reflections on our 2025 National Conference and AGM

Chief Executive Tom Franklin shares his thoughts and reflections on both an enjoyable and thought-provoking day in Lancaster.
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A photo of David Ford, National Chair of the Magistrates' Association
  • Wider justice system

My vision for 2026-28

On 22 November 2025, at our annual conference and AGM in Lancaster, David Ford became the MA’s new National Chair, taking over from Mark Beattie. In this blog, David shares his vision for the next three years.
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