RIP local justice? Let’s hope not!
Join us in Birmingham on 25 November to discuss this timely question.
- Wider justice system
Delay in the consultation on the abolition of local justice areas
Magistrates' Association welcomes this delay if it is used wisely.
- 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.
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
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
The challenges of open justice
Subject matter experts discussed open justice at this year’s annual conference.
- Wider justice system
Key takeaways for magistrates from our conference
There was important news for magistrates, on some of the issues we’ve long campaigned for, at this year’s MA conference.
- Adult court matters
- Family court matters
- 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
Looking back on two years as your national chair
Mark Beattie took up the role of the national chair of the Magistrates' Association on 15 October 2022. In this blog, he reflects on the last two years under his leadership and shares what is on the horizon for the year ahead.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
Speaker biographies
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
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
Three MA members awarded in New Year Honours
Our members were recognised for their services to the administration of justice as magistrates.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
AGM and conference programme 2024
Systems shift for our criminal courts
In this blog, Miranda Paris, Communications Officer at the Centre for Justice Innovation, argues that reviewing the Single Justice Procedure and improving how the court fine system works will help to make the justice system fairer and more effective for those in contact with it.
- Adult court matters
Criminal justice must be a priority for the new government, say magistrates
The Magistrates’ Association has urged the new Lord Chancellor to do a fundamental review of the criminal justice system and boost investment in all parts of it.
- Wider justice system
Out of court disposals need reform, says Magistrates’ Association report
New MA report reveals that the use of OOCDs has expanded haphazardly and without appropriate oversight and scrutiny.
- Wider justice system
