RIP local justice? Let’s hope not!
Join us in Birmingham on 25 November to discuss this timely question.
- Wider justice system
Local Justice Areas consultation
The consultation on changes to Local Justice Areas and the administration of the magistracy, was launched on Monday 31 March. We have everything you need to know about the consultation and how to have your say on it.
Delay in the consultation on the abolition of local justice areas
Magistrates' Association welcomes this delay if it is used wisely.
- Wider justice system
Local Justice Areas consultation: what branches can do?
We’d like all MA branches to take a number of steps to help during this consultation period.
- Volunteer only
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.
- Wider justice system
What the election manifestos say about justice
In this blog, our chief executive, Tom Franklin, talks about what the main parties' general election manifestos say about justice, policing and the courts.
- Wider justice system
Help run your local branch
We have 52 branches across England and Wales, each managed by a branch executive committee. Magistrates like you have stepped up to join their local committee and there are a range of roles available for differing skillsets, so please read on to find out more, and take a look to see if any of them appeal to you.
The challenges of open justice
Subject matter experts discussed open justice at this year’s annual conference.
- Wider justice system
Social workers and the family courts
In this blog, Andrew Reece JP shares how his experience as a social worker informs his work as a family magistrate and suggests magistrates and social workers have plenty to learn from each other.
- Family court matters
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
Helping your branch be the best it can be
Talking to members and branch executive teams, we’ve found some really good examples of things that branches do for their members.
- Volunteer only
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
Six ways to get started with local level advocacy
Our volunteers are integral to our success in shaping the policy agenda and affecting change on the issues that matter most to our members. So, we've compiled some tips and a case study from our Dorset branch to inspire our branches that are keen to commence or expand their local advocacy work.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Volunteer only
Magistrates’ Association speaks up for members: May 2023
A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work.
- Knife and weapon crime
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Youth court matters
How we help improve public understanding of the justice system
What we've done recently to educate the public about the magistracy and wider justice system.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
Meet the new ministers driving justice policy
We’ve written to the new justice ministers upon their appointment.
- 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.
- Wider justice system
Speaking up for members: November 2024
A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work.
- Adult court matters
- Family court matters
- Wider justice system
Speaker biographies
Considering the way forward for the youth court
Janet Lallysmith, our Training, Learning and Development Officer, reflects on the youth court breakout session at our 2023 conference.
- Youth court matters
