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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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An image of Andrew Phillips in his Master formal wear
  • 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.
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Guest speakers from the event stand together.
  • 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.
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  • 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.
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Text reads: Member blog, Adam Gungah. It is accompanied by Adam's photo.
  • 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.
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Text reads: member blog, Michael Hassell. It is accompanied by Michael's photo.
  • 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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Text reads: member blog, Andrew Reece. It is accompanied by Andrew's photo.
  • 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.
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Rob on the BBC2 quiz show Only Connect
  • 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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