Becoming a magistrate
The application process to become a magistrate.
Candidates for the MA’s Board of Trustees announced
13 candidates. Three vacancies. Your vote counts. This year’s trustee election is the most hotly contested in years, with a record 13 members standing for the board. Find out who’s standing and get ready to vote from 18 August.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Speaking up for members: August 2025
A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
About magistrates
Magistrates make many of the legal decisions in England and Wales.
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.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
FAQs
Answers to common questions about the MA and the magistracy.
Volunteers’ Week: balancing volunteering with a career
In conversation with magistrates who are balancing paid employment and volunteering.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Do young magistrates feel they belong in the magistracy?
Dr Xavier L'Hoiry has blogged about the findings of his research on the experiences of young magistrates aged under 40. While some of his findings and perspectives are specific to that age group, many of the feelings, experiences and challenges faced by younger magistrates will chime with older readers too.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Most magistrates left out-of-pocket, says Magistrates’ Association report
The Magistrates' Association today published a landmark report on the costs of being a magistrate.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Key takeaways for magistrates from our conference
There was important news for magistrates, on issues that we’ve long campaigned for, at our national conference which we held in November 2024. In this blog, exclusively for our members, we reveal what these are, including a commitment to look at magistrates' expenses.
- Adult court matters
- Family court matters
- Wider justice system
Become a member
If you join the Magistrates' Association, you’ll get access to a wealth of benefits to help you be the best magistrate you can be.
Many magistrates’ courts are inaccessible, says Magistrates’ Association report
The charity's report is the first on-the-ground study into the accessibility of magistrates courts.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Structural reforms needed to ensure timely justice, say magistrates
The Magistrates' Association has submitted its response to the review of the criminal courts.
- Adult court matters
- Wider justice system
- Youth court matters
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.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
Volunteers’ Week: Young magistrates’ network
In conversation with members of the MA's young magistrates' network.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
Volunteers’ Week: Magistrates in the Community
An insight into the MA's community initiative.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
Home
Speaking up for members: February 2025
A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work.
- Adult court matters
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
An interview with the President of the Family Division
In October, Sir Andrew McFarlane, the President of the Family Division, gave a keynote speech at our annual conference. There wasn't enough time for him to field all our members' questions on the day itself, so he kindly offered to answer more in writing afterwards.
- Family court matters
Diversity and inclusion: What we’ve been doing, and how to get involved
Sarah Sawyerr, diversity and inclusion committee representative for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic network, shares a round-up of the committee’s and networks’ recent work.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
