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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Sara Pye, Deputy Chair of our family court committee, updates on the committee's efforts to ensure that family magistrates receive the support they need when dealing with distressing cases.
Charlotte Wassermann shares her experience of being a magistrate with an invisible disability and sheds light on the types of adjustments that can make the role more accessible for people with hidden disabilities.
For Pride month, we sat down with Rish McDonald, an LGBT+ member who has just been elected to sit on our newly established diversity and inclusion policy committee, to find out more about his journey to the bench and why he believes an inclusive magistracy is so important.
This month we sat down with one of our members, Alison Allard, to find out more about her experience on the bench and what she does outside of volunteering as a magistrate.
To mark Deaf Awareness Week, Paul Nielsen shares his experience as a magistrate with hearing loss and gives some advice on how other magistrates can support colleagues and other court users who are hearing impaired.