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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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Text reads: member blog, Nick Haynes. It is accompanied by Nick's photo.
  • Family court matters

My first-hand experience of Pathfinder in Wales

The Magistrates’ Association (MA) welcomes the recent expansion of the Pathfinder Scheme in the family courts, but how these work may be unfamiliar to many. In this blog, Nick Haynes JP, a member of the MA’s family court committee, shares his first-hand experience of Pathfinder in Wales.
Text reads: member interview, Paul Bland. It is accompanied by Paul's photo.

An interview with Paul Bland

This month we sat down with Paul Bland, a retired magistrate, to find out more – in his own words – about his role as Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
Text reads: member blog, Sheila Chingono. It is accompanied by Sheila's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Life after stroke

As we approach the end of UK Disability History Month, MA member Sheila Chingono talks about her life after a stroke and gives some advice on how disabled magistrates could be better supported.
An image of member Dawn Gibbons. The text reads: Member Blog, Dawn Gibbons
  • Knife and weapon crime

Tackling knife crime, one school at a time

In this member blog, London magistrate Dawn Gibbons talks about knife crime and her work in south London schools that helps to raise awareness of this important issue among young people.
David Rose is next to a Limbless Association banner
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

My experience of campaigning on disability issues over four decades

For UK Disability History Month, David Rose JP, one of the disabled representatives of our diversity and inclusion committee, shares his experiences of campaigning on disability issues.
Text reads: member blog, Abayomi Dada. It is accompanied by Abayomi's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Giving Back to the Community

For Black History Month, one of our members, Abayomi Dada JP shares why it is important for him to give back to his community.
Text reads: member blog, Donna Clarke. It is accompanied by Donna's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Be the representation that you want to see

For Black History Month, one of our members, Donna Clarke JP, shares her experience on the bench and why she encourages people from minority groups to apply for the role.
Text reads: Member blog, Alex Yip. It is accompanied by Alex's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Reflections of a British Chinese magistrate

For East and South East Asian Heritage Month, Cllr Alex Yip JP shares his experience of being a British Chinese magistrate and reflects on the importance of a truly inclusive judiciary.
Mani Hussain and his wife Emma at the Royal Garden Party
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

An interview with Mani Hussain

For South Asian Heritage Month, we sat down with Mani Hussain, who won our Branch Officer of the Year Award in 2023, to find out more about his experience as a magistrate and why he encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply for the role.
The text reads: member blog, Maz Edwards. It is accompanied by Maz's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Gender identity and the magistracy

As we approach the end of Pride month, Maz Edwards shares her experience of being a Trans female magistrate and reflects on the importance of a truly inclusive judiciary.
Text reads: member blog, Dane Pedro. It is accompanied by Dane's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

A decade on the bench

This Volunteers’ Week, we invited one of our members, Dane Pedro, who has been serving as a magistrate for nearly a decade, to reflect on her time as a female magistrate.
The text reads member blog, Christopher Walker. It is accompanied by Christopher's photo.
  • Family court matters
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Be the difference: volunteer as a magistrate

For Volunteers’ Week, one of our members, Christopher Walker, shares his journey to the bench and encourages others to apply to become magistrates.
The text reads: member blog, Sarah Sawyerr. It is accompanied by Sarah's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion: What we’ve been doing, and how to get involved

Sarah Sawyerr, diversity and inclusion committee representative for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic network, shares a round-up of the committee’s and networks’ recent work.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Understanding ADHD

For Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18–24 March 2024), we're sharing an article by MA member Hanne Van Hirtum JP, who tells us about her experience of having ADHD and offers advice on supporting neurodivergent defendants and magistrates
The text reads: member blog, Josh James. It is accompanied by Josh's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Championing diversity as a trustee

To mark Trustees’ Week, Josh James JP looks back on a year in post and explores how diversity strengthens our decision making.
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

An interview with Marianne Sunter

This month we sat down with Marianne Sunter, a new(ish) adult court magistrate, to find out more about her experience on the bench and what tips she has for newly appointed recruits.
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

My 25-year voluntary career

To mark Black History Month, Abiola Onatade shares why she’s been giving back to her community by volunteering as a magistrate for over two decades.
The text reads: member blog, Yvonne Watkins-Knight. It is accompanied by Yvonne's photo.
  • Adult court matters
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

A day in the life of an adult court magistrate

To mark Black History Month, Yvonne Watkins-Knight offers a glimpse into what a typical day giving back to her community as a magistrate looks like.
The text reads: member blog, Des Smith. It is accompanied by Des' photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Four decades on the bench

To mark Black History Month, Des Smith, one of our retired members, takes stock of his four-decade-long contribution to administering justice in his community.
The text reads: member interview, Anthony Fitzgerald. It is accompanied by Anthony's photo.
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

An interview with Anthony Fitzgerald

This month we sat down with Anthony Fitzgerald, a new magistrate who is LGBT+, to find out more about his experience on the bench and why he encourages people from underrepresented groups to apply for the role.
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