- 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.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
Breaking Barriers in the City of London
MA member Andrew Phillips JP has served as a magistrate for almost 15 years. In this blog, he shares his recent appointment as the first Black West Indian-born Master of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters. This piece originally appeared in the Black History Month UK 2025 magazine.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
Challenges and Opportunities for Magistrates from Black, Asian and global majority backgrounds
In this blog, MA member Sarah Sawyerr JP (Black, Asian and global majority network representative on the MA's Diversity and inclusion committee) shares her reflections on the MA's recent event highlighting the challenges and opportunities for magistrates from Black, Asian and global majority backgrounds.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
My 25-year voluntary career
To mark Black History Month UK, we've republished Abiola Onatade's blog on her experiences volunteering as a magistrate for over two decades. This blog was originally published in 2023 and has been amended to bring it up-to-date.
- Youth court matters
An introduction to the youth court
MA member Adam Gungah JP gives an overview of the youth court jurisdiction and what it entails. For magistrates interested in finding out more or considering applying to be on the youth panel.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
Celebrating 53 years of Pride
For Pride month, Michael Hassell reflects on how the MA has been working hard to ensure that sexuality and gender identity aren't barriers to being a magistrate.
- Family court matters
Social workers and the family courts
In this blog, Andrew Reece JP shares how his experience as a social worker informs his work as a family magistrate and suggests magistrates and social workers have plenty to learn from each other.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Quizzing all the way to the final
Rob Sassoon, Secretary of Hertfordshire MA, has blogged about his appearance on the BBC2 quiz show Only Connect.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
