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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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An image displaying the words Media Statement.
  • Wider justice system

We welcome recommendations in Part 2 of the Leveson Review

The Magistrates' Association has broadly welcomed the recommendations in Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of Criminal Courts, published today.
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Magistrates in a court. Copyright Philip Wolmuth
  • Wider justice system

MA welcomes retention of ‘Nightingale Courts’

Our response to today’s government announcement that the four remaining ‘Nightingale Courts’ will remain open.
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The title page of the Sentencing Bill, which is now (January 2026) the Sentencing Act
  • Wider justice system

MA responds to Sentencing Bill’s Royal Assent

We respond to the Sentencing Act which became law yesterday.
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An image displaying the words Media Statement.
  • Wider justice system

We comment on the growing court backlogs

The Magistrates' Association comments on the latest criminal court statistics covering July to September 2025.
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A photo of Incoming MA Chief Executive Catherine Feast standing outside 10 Downing Street.

Magistrates’ Association appoints new Chief Executive

The Magistrates’ Association will have a new Chief Executive in March 2026.
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The text reads: Media statement, Criminal Courts Review
  • Wider justice system

We welcome the Government response to the Leveson review, saying it will speed-up justice

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The text reads: Media statement, Criminal Courts Review
  • Wider justice system

We comment on media reports about jury trials

The Magistrates' Association comments on today's media reports about the Leveson Review of the Criminal Courts and jury trials.
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Text reads: media response
  • Wider justice system

MA comments on the growing court backlogs

The Magistrates' Association has responded to today's MoJ criminal court statistics quarterly, which showed increases in crown and magistrate court backlogs.
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A photo of David Lammy MP. Credit: Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street - Number 10 Flickr page
  • Wider justice system

David Lammy appointed Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary

The Magistrates’ Association comments on today’s Government reshuffle, which saw the arrival of Rt Hon David Lammy MP as the new Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary.
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The title page of the Sentencing Bill, which is now (January 2026) the Sentencing Act
  • Wider justice system

Magistrates’ Association comments on Sentencing Bill

The Magistrates’ Association has cautiously welcomed the Sentencing Bill – presented to Parliament on 2 September.
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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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