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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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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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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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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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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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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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The text reads: media statement
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Review of the regulation of private prosecutors is welcome

Magistrates need confidence that prosecutors are working to the highest standards and in a consistent way.
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The text reads: press release
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system
  • Youth court matters

Structural reforms needed to ensure timely justice, say magistrates

The Magistrates' Association has submitted its response to the review of the criminal courts.
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The text reads: press release
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Sentencing Review must allow for more flexible options

The Magistrates' Association has submitted its response to the call for evidence to the government’s sentencing review. While we welcome this wide-ranging review, we’ve also raised some concerns.
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Westminster Magistrates' Court
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Criminal courts review welcomed by Magistrates’ Association

The Magistrates’ Association welcomes today's announcement that there will be a wide-ranging review of criminal courts.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Single Justice Procedure reform welcome, but needs to go further

The Magistrates’ Association welcomes the announcement made by Heidi Alexander MP, Courts Minister today on the Single Justice Procedure.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Wider justice system

Failure to invest in courts a false economy, says Magistrates’ Association

Magistrates’ Association responds to the Autumn Budget.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Wider justice system

Sentencing review welcome, but must be supported by better long-term funding, say magistrates

Our response to the Ministry of Justice's announcement of a wide-ranging sentencing review.
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The front entrance of Westminster Magistrates' Court
  • Wider justice system

Magistrates’ sentencing range extended to 12 months

The MA comments on today's announcement by the Lord Chancellor that, with effect from 18 November, the sentencing range in the magistrates’ courts will be extended from six months to 12 months.
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The text reads: media statement
  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system

Postponing sentencing hearings to deal with prison overcrowding

The Magistrates’ Association responds to reports.
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