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Publications

We produce advocacy reports, briefing notes, consultation responses and position statements to support our policy work. Use the search box or filters to find what you're looking for, and drop us a line with any questions.

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  • Adult court matters
  • Family court matters
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate
  • Youth court matters

Safety and security in the magistrates’ courts

In April 2025, we surveyed members to understand their thoughts and experiences relating to their safety and security inside and outside the magistrates’ courts. To our knowledge, this is the first survey of its kind put to the lay judiciary. The report makes for concerning reading and we've made 20 recommendations for change.
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  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Magistrates Matter

Magistrates make a massive and vital contribution to the justice system, but don’t always receive the support and recognition they deserve. Our new report 'Magistrates matter – A plan to ensure magistrates are valued, appreciated and recognised' calls for fundamental reform and makes seven recommendations that we believe will better recognise magistrates’ contribution and service.
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  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Inaccessible courts: a barrier to justice

We reveal that three quarters of magistrates courts are insufficiently accessible. We identify the barriers this creates for the public and magistrates and make six recommendations to urgently address the systemic issues in the court estate.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system
  • Youth court matters

Out of court disposals: Fit for purpose or in need of reform?

We reveal a lack of comprehensive scrutiny of out of court disposals (OOCDs) and call for reforms to ensure consistent use and scrutiny of these police powers. We make seven recommendations that will, if implemented, achieve this.
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  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

It shouldn’t cost to volunteer

Our seminal report on the costs to volunteer to be a magistrate uses findings of a survey of nearly 1,400 magistrates. It finds that the expenses regime does not compensate losses fully, leaving the majority of magistrates consistently out-of-pocket.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system
  • Youth court matters

Magistrates’ courts and Covid-19

Our report reveals the negative impacts of remote links to conduct criminal cases in magistrate’s courts including poor technology provision during the pandemic and the damaging effects for communication, morale, and the gravity of court proceedings.
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  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Practicalities of being a magistrate

Providing support to employed magistrates

Our young magistrates' network sets out the necessary steps to support magistrates who are employed. It makes recommendations for better resources and signposting.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Youth court matters

Maturity in the magistrates’ court

Our research shows that lack of maturity should be properly acknowledged but is often raised too late in the magistrate’s court process. We call for maturity to be independently assessed and information presented to the court at a first hearing.
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  • Diversity, disparity and inclusion
  • Youth court matters

Disproportionality in the youth justice system

The report from a roundtable hosted by the Magistrates' Association in 2019 with key stakeholders in the youth justice system. The roundtable covered issues including stop and search, engagement with the police, the Metropolitan Police Gangs Matrix, criminal exploitation, county lines, modern slavery, unconscious bias and data collection among other topics.
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  • Adult court matters
  • Wider justice system
  • Youth court matters

Scrutiny Panel research report

We identify good practice and the key benefits of using scrutiny panels to ensue oversight of out of court disposals. We conclude that there is a key role for both magistrates and the CPS in scrutiny of police powers to address crime.
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