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News

We are a go-to resource for the media on issues relating to the magistracy and criminal justice, and draw on our members' expertise and experience when responding to current news and promoting the magistracy. Use the search box or filters to find what you're looking for.

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Westminster Magistrates' Court
  • Wider justice system

Magistrates’ Association welcomes Leveson review

The leading body for magistrates in England and Wales has welcomed Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the criminal courts – published today – and says that its recommendations, if implemented, will speed-up justice for victims, witnesses and defendants who are being denied justice by the ever-increasing backlog in the crown courts.
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The text reads: press release
  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion

Progress towards a more diverse magistracy needs speeding up

Responding to yesterday’s judicial diversity statistics, the Magistrates’ Association has said that while it is proud that the magistracy remains the most diverse part of the judiciary, progress on magistrate diversity has slowed.
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MA's new national officers

MA’s new national chair and deputies elected

In November, David Ford will take the reins from Mark Beattie as the Magistrates’ Association’s new national chair, and Jacqui MacDonald-Davis, Sarah Clarke and Val Castell will be deputy national chairs.
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Sue Kayser and Mary Carroll
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

MA members recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Three of our members have been recognised for their services to the administration of justice as magistrates and for services to court users.
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A mobile phone user
  • Adult court matters
  • Family court matters
  • Youth court matters

Latest updates for magistrates: June 2025

From new legislation on pre-sentence reports, to delays in the family court, read our handy look at the latest updates from across the justice system.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

MA responds to BBC on reading pleas and mitigations

Cases should not be coming to court if they do not pass a public interest test.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Our response to the tagging scandal

Magistrates need confidence in non-custodial options like tagging. However recent reports raise serious questions about their effective implementation.
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The Chancellor of the Exchequer speaking in Parliament on 11 June 2025
  • Wider justice system

Our response to the Chancellor’s Spending review

The Magistrates’ Association welcomes additional investment in criminal justice announced in today's spending review statement, but still more needs to be done to fix the justice system.
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The text reads: press release
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Fundamental reform needed to keep magistrates in post

The Magistrates' Association's new report is based on its members’ experiences and reveals that despite being vital to the justice system, magistrates – who are all unpaid volunteers – don’t receive the support and recognition they need and deserve, and this is becoming a resigning matter for some.
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Independent Sentencing Review logo
  • Wider justice system

What we think of the Independent Sentencing Review

The Magistrates’ Association welcomes the report of the Independent Sentencing Review. It promises a fresh approach to sentencing, which is undoubtedly needed to deal with the crisis in the criminal justice system, and we are pleased that many of our proposals have become recommendations in the report.
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Woman Sitting Behind a Desk Using Laptop and Looking at Items on a Receipt
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate
  • Wider justice system

Speaking up for members: May 2025

A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work.
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A Black woman is reading newspaper
  • Adult court matters
  • Family court matters
  • Youth court matters

Latest updates for magistrates: May 2025

From resetting the approach to women’s imprisonment, to new guidance on covert recordings in family law proceedings, read our handy look at the latest updates from across the justice system.
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The text reads: press release
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Magistrates back reforms to the regulation of private prosecutors

In its response to the government’s review of the regulation of private prosecutors, the Magistrates' Association has made recommendations in key areas that it believes will improve transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the Single Justice Procedure, as well as in private prosecutors more generally.
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A Black woman is looking at her laptop screen
  • Family court matters
  • Modern slavery and exploitation
  • Youth court matters

Latest updates for magistrates: April 2025

From children in prison to ten years of the Modern Slavery Act, read the recent updates from across the justice system.
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The text reads: press release
  • Wider justice system

MA contributes to landmark Times crime and justice commission report

The proposal to introduce a new intermediate court reflects a growing consensus.
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Magistrates in a court. Copyright Philip Wolmuth
  • Wider justice system

Local Justice Areas consultation launched

The consultation on changes to Local Justice Areas (LJA) and the administration of the magistracy, was launched on Monday 31 March. Please visit our consultation web page, which has everything you need to know about the consultation and how to have your say on it before it closes on Monday 23 June.
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Westminster Magistrates' Court
  • Wider justice system

No more money for justice misses opportunity to fix the courts

The government found £1.6 billion to patch up pot-holed roads, but only £8 million for justice in the spring statement – not enough to patch up our creaking justice system or invest in our courts.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system
  • Youth court matters

Latest updates for magistrates: March 2025

From criminal justice statistics to the Youth Remand Concordat, read the latest news, publications and events from across the justice system, that we hope will support you in delivering your magisterial duties.
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Text reads: media response
  • Family court matters

MA responds to suggestions that family magistrates should not hear private law cases

We’ve written an opinion piece for Politics Home to explain and defend the family magistrates’ role.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Adult court matters

MA comments on the new Imposition guidelines

The Magistrates' Association has responded to the new Imposition guidelines.
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