- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
