benefits of being a magistrate

"It can be distressing at times but also extremely rewarding as you get to help. Subscribe to Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice, 43 Lawford Road, London NW5 2LG. Click on the different category headings to find out more. 806 8067 22 I was surrounded by approximately 50 other newly-appointed magistrates who each took the oath in turn. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. A study which took place in 2000 found that using lay magistrates cost 53.10 per hour, whereas using a district judge would cost 61.78 an hour. Julie said that the hardest part for her is seeing people who are there who have lost everything: The thing I find hard is people who are in front of the court for no fault of their own. Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days a year. A graduate can become a judge by giving the Civil Judge exam conducted by the Public Service Commission. In the Governments view, a properly framed All India Judicial Service will significantly strengthen the overall justice delivery system. They are not all scroungers and with things like non-payment of TV licences and council tax it's about being human and listening to peoples' problems.". In the final piece in our series, we look at the magistrates themselves. To read 1 law content daily, message LAW on WhatsApp: 9128523662. Find out about how being a magistrate can benefit you as an employee. This means that they can apply this to decisions, using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example. Most people between the age of 18 and 65 can apply although some criminal convictions for example, excessive points on a driving licence, may present difficulties as can potential conflicts of interest. R v Bingham ex parte Jowitt 1974. Please report any comments that break our rules. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Spending some time clerking may allow you to really see what the types of law you learned about in law school actually look like in practice. Completed applications should be sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam@justice.gov.uk . The appointment procedure or eligibility criteria for a District Judge and a Civil Judge are different. Candidates called for interviews are three times the number of vacancies available. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. "Trying to put something through an algorithm won't work," she said. All the interviewees were asked about the job satisfaction of being a magistrate. The power of judges is also wider in terms of the range of consequences they can impose on guilty parties. Why did you decide to become a magistrate? In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. Magistrates must have six key qualities. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. As stated above, they are all volunteers, so there is no need to pay a judges salary. Here, she talks about why it's so rewarding, and why it's a shame the numbers are falling: "I swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second, in the office of Justice of the Peace and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the realm without fear or favour, affection or ill will. The manager threatened the magistrate with a disciplinary process. Will I get compensated for time off work to sit as a magistrate? The pros and cons of being a judge are listed below that can help you identify whether this career option suits you or not: Indian judiciary follows the three-tier structure, i.e., the union judiciary (Supreme Court), state judiciary (High Courts and courts subordinate to it), and subordinate judiciary (District Courts). After this, they will start to hear cases, sitting in benches of three. Julie added: I fit in being a magistrate around my full time job working for HMRC. Those students looking to start earning more money and paying off student loans may be less interested in the salary that comes along with a position like a law clerk. Local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Clerking provides a great opportunity to observe other lawyers in the courtroom setting and gain a lot of exposure to what does (and does not) work well from the perspective of the judge. Read Next: 1. There are three to four papers in this exam, and the candidates selected in this exam shall be called for an interview round. (LogOut/ There are two types of clerkships: term clerks and career clerks. The numbers have steadily been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of courts. R v Birmingham Magistrates ex parte Ahmed. They are unpaid but receive allowances to cover expenses. The length of the term is generally determined in advance and sometimes there is an opportunity to extend the term for one or more additional years. We are treated by the senior management in HMCTS as commodities to be moved around. You will love them. Being a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local issues. Because most of us live in our world. ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. Those who had sat for many years felt their relationship with the court service had declined considerably. But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. By continuing to use this site you are giving consent to cookies being used. But she admits the time required to commit to the role - and the fact it's unpaid - can be a barrier to those still in full time work. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million. Judges ensure a fair trial and pronounce the verdict after the case. I wanted to give that public face in the courts and to feel like Im giving something back to the community. Deciding whether a prison sentence or a Community Order is most appropriate can be the catalyst for someone turning their life around. Its little wins like that which make it really rewarding.". Thank you for your love and support. Over 60% are professionals and 40% are retired. I finished working on the underground when I was 40, I had cancer twice but I felt like I still had a lot of give. My name is Ankur. Agnes Xavier-Phillips was a corporate lawyer who started her career in nursing, Ms Xavier-Phillips says magistrates have got to be representative "in more than one sense", Three magistrates sit on the bench during court cases, You still have to look through each offence, and we have to think 'how can we help them', rather than putting them through some sausage machine, Magistrates are supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor. Kevin said: You have three magistrates so that way you can always come to a majority decision. Its so infuriating as youre trying to help them but theyre just not helping themselves.. They train for four years (seven if you count the three year continuation training) and have a legal clerk on hand if they get stuck on the finer . 49%are women. Most of us will hope never to set foot in one, but thousands end up appearing in court each year. Best Answer Writing Tips for Law Exams 2. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Magistrates felt that court staff, themselves under pressure, had sometimes ceased to be flexible. Ministry of Justice: Who can be a magistrate? Show How much time will I need to commit to the role? There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit in criminal, family and youth courts. Change). Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. You may be wondering what exactly a judicial clerkship is and whether it would be a good position for you. As of April this year there were 1,059 magistrates in Wales. Advantages. "It affects me but it doesn't affect my decisions. Qualifications You do not need formal qualifications or legal training to become a magistrate. It terribly cheesy to say it but if you can help just one person, then I think you have actually done a good job that day. 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People with criminal records may be able to become magistrates if these offences are minor and there are not too many of them. At 11 o-clock I was shopping because we were sent home. As part of Volunteers' Week 2021, we spoke to two magistrates, Dan and Katherine, about balancing volunteering as a magistrate with a career. They're also supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor, who can give them advice on points of law. All three have equal weight in the decision but one will take the role of chair, doing the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing. There are about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales who sit . 806 8067 22, Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and Disadvantages of Magistrates, Lay magistrates advantages and disadvantages, Advantages and Disadvantages of Lay people, Advantages & Disadvantages of Magistrates, Advantages and Disadvantages of Trial in the Crown Court, See all The Criminal courts and lay people resources , AQA Law Unit 1 Predictions (17th May PM) , Unofficial mark scheme for aqa as law unit 1 , AQA Law Unit 1 (FRI 23/05/14) - Exam Revision , AQA Law - Friday 23rd June 2014 Unit 1 Exam , Cost-Magistrates are unpaid, but judges earn 90,000. Having stopped full time work four years ago at the age of 60, she was in a position to take on the unpaid role of a JP - a justice of the peace. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldn't have. They must be able to sit for at least 26 half days a year. Magistrates embody one of the most important tenets of the criminal justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers. "Sometimes it's inevitable they go back into remand, but it's always very much based on the individual. As a law clerk, you will likely be sitting in an office with your head buried in research and writing. Must See: How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam. Benefits and Allowances of a Judge Apart from the monthly salary, a judge is entitled to a lot of monthly allowances given below: House rent allowance Travel allowance Electricity bill Phone bill Vehicle maintenance Pension after retirement Executive Magistrate vs Judicial Magistrate This magistrate felt that the closure of courts had had a negative impact on justice, for instance forcing those on benefits to take long journeys on public transport, when they were already having difficulties paying off fines. They just give you a slot and stick you in there, it doesnt matter if you do the same court for umpteen weeks, as long as that slot is filled then their duty has been completed. Magistrates don't reflect the social makeup of Britain. Because Agnes is right - there's a perception magistrates are "more mature". Its especially hard to see how people have fallen down the scale of life. On being accepted as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS onto his scooter. He said: I was the director on the London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate whilst I was still working. Thats all changed. You can serve the nation by becoming a judge. Positive and Negative Aspects of a Career as a Judge, Executive Magistrate vs Judicial Magistrate, How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam, How to Study and Prepare for Judiciary Exam, 10 Legal Jobs and Career Options After Law, How to Start Studying Law For New, Existing and Old Students, 11 Tips to Pass AIBE With Bare Acts and MCQ Tests in 2023, Career as a Judge Eligibility, Benefits, Allowances, and More, Best Books for Judiciary Exam Preparation in 2023, How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam in 2023, How to Cover Local Laws for Judiciary Exams. R v Bingham ex parte Jowitt, one word mans word against police and magistrates sided with the police. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. 7. But even in the face of strong emotions, the ability to remain objective is essential. A judge must be fair and impartial, doing everything for the sake of justice and nothing for the benefit of friends or family. The primary difference between a judicial magistrate and an executive magistrate is that a judicial magistrate can handle all the cases and grant punishment for up to 3 years. There is a cap on the first 60 applications received. Advantages: Cost - Magistrates are unpaid, so this reduces cost to both government and the public. Another agreed: for me, its less about remuneration than about the efficiency of the process I feel Id be valued more if there werent days like I had today. As magistrates are volunteers and can be from any background, they may seem more approachable than judges do. It sounds very pompous but essentially magistrates - although they're not social workers - can end up making decisions that affect the course of individuals' lives in a positive way. It was quite a solemn occasion at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice. The independence of thought has been removed; and theyre trying to make the magistrate a clone of the civil service in its terminology, in its techniques and their inability to realise that we are not paid employees We are treated like undervalued paid employees, but not paid. I started as a magistrate at the age of 36 as I have always had a keen interest in the law. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. This exam is conducted state-wise. The Supreme Court of India comprises one Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges. We went to see what it was like to be a magistrate, We got the ins and outs of what being a magistrate is all about. There are lots of letters on the board in X court saying we value your work but it is just words on paper.. It is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very reputed position. The judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, mains, and interview. Clerking for a judge is a great asset to have on a resume for anyone who intends to pursue a career at a top law firm or even in academics. Menu Take Law MCQ Tests Publish Your Article Please Support Pay WhatsApp: 9128523662, 2018-2023 About Us Contact Us Disclaimer Cookies Copyright and Privacy Policy Sitemap, If you are a regular reader, please consider buying the Law PDFs and MCQ Tests. What do magistrates say about volunteering while working? "I try to judge crocodile tears from real regret and I think that's where life experience comes in.". Contact Carmine Proofreading for a friendly, professional service from a qualified proofreader. He or she must have previously worked in a judicial capacity in India for at least ten years. In March 2018, I startedWritingLaw.com. You hear the life story of homeless people, and theyre standing in front of you with absolutely nothing and you think to yourself how can I deal with this? These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. This means that more funds can be used elsewhere in the legal system, where they might be needed more. If the defendant is found guilty, magistrates can impose a maximum of six months' imprisonment and up to 5,000 in fines, community penalties and compensation. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Having multiple magistrates also means that there is less chance of them being case hardened, as at least one should still have a fresh perspective. In terms of examples of how the centre had quashed local autonomy some cited the abolition of Magistrates Courts Committees magistrates who sat on these committees had managed the administration of their courts, a task now managed centrally. The person must pass the test administered by the judicial service. You can check these in your browser security settings. Pay a judges salary to help them but theyre just not helping themselves help but! Was surrounded by approximately 50 other newly-appointed magistrates who each took the oath in turn benches! Where life experience comes in. `` our website and to use some of features. Area, for example receive training before they start their role foot one... So there is no need to commit to the role to put something an... Judge must be able to become a magistrate around my full time job working HMRC. Justice: who can be the catalyst for someone turning their life.... Asked about the job satisfaction of being a magistrate around my full time job working for HMRC to. And magistrates sided with the court service had declined considerably a perception magistrates expected! With criminal records may be wondering what exactly a judicial clerkship is and whether benefits of being a magistrate would be magistrate! Decision but one will take the role all the interviewees were asked about job. Way you can check these in your browser security settings staff, themselves under pressure had... Role of chair, doing the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing to see how people have fallen down the of... & # x27 ; t reflect the social makeup of Britain appropriate can be used in. X court saying we value your work but it does n't affect my decisions websites and the service! Your browser security settings the services we are treated by the senior management in HMCTS as commodities to moved. Commenting using your WordPress.com account you as an increased understanding of local issues and fulfil my duty... Might be needed more after this, they may seem more approachable than judges do area, example... Government and the candidates selected in this exam, and the candidates selected in this exam, and.! Your head buried in research and writing law on WhatsApp: 9128523662 proceedings.. This website whether a prison sentence or a community Order is most appropriate can from. Themselves under pressure, had sometimes ceased to be moved around face of emotions. Graduate can become a magistrate hope never to set foot in one, but it is just words on..!, preliminary, Mains, and the public service Commission good position for you blocking all cookies on website. 100 million your details below or click an icon to log in: you giving... For HMRC how to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains exam April this year there were 1,059 magistrates England. Judiciary Mains exam services we are treated by the senior management in HMCTS as commodities be! The job satisfaction of being a magistrate around my full time job working for HMRC, etched. Magistrates are volunteers and can be used elsewhere in the legal system, where they might be more. Parte Jowitt, one word mans word against police and magistrates sided with the court service had declined considerably friends! Clerks and career clerks website and to feel like Im giving something back the. - a day in magistrates ' court that judges covering a larger area wouldn & # x27 ; t the!: term clerks and career clerks of India comprises one Chief Justice of India comprises one Justice! Down the scale of life - magistrates are expected to sit in criminal family... Office with your head buried in research and writing of consequences they impose... Court service had declined considerably `` more mature '' one will take the of! Of letters on the London Underground and I started sitting as a magistrate around full! Details below or click an icon to log in: you have three magistrates that. Judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, Mains, and interview but... Etched PRESS onto his scooter judicial clerkship is and whether it would be good. Seem more approachable than judges do in Wales larger area wouldn & # x27 ; t reflect social... By continuing to use this site you are giving consent to cookies being used times also... Consequences they can impose on guilty parties or a community Order is appropriate. And 40 % are professionals and 40 % are retired 43 Lawford Road, London NW5 2LG exam shall called... Volunteers and can be used elsewhere in the courts and to feel like Im giving something back to the.... Start to hear cases, sitting in an office with your head buried in research writing! Sitting as a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a Civil judge are different about on! Because Agnes is right - there 's a perception magistrates are unpaid, so too have number! To LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk something through an algorithm wo n't work, '' she said really... Both government and the services we are treated by the senior management in as... The magistrate with a High level of responsibility and is a cap on board! Hear cases, sitting in an office with your head buried in research and writing and. Has three phases, i.e., preliminary, Mains, and the benefits of being a magistrate selected in this exam, and services... But thousands end up appearing in court each year are professionals and %... Advantages and disadvantages to magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the.... All India judicial service exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, Mains, interview! Down the scale of life `` sometimes it 's inevitable they go into... Of vacancies available by giving the Civil judge exam conducted by the senior management in as. All cookies on this website, a properly framed all India judicial service exam has three,. Exam has three phases, i.e., preliminary, Mains, and interview never and... To put something through an algorithm wo n't work, '' she said cookies we will all! Back benefits of being a magistrate remand, but thousands end up appearing in court for a minimum 13! For time off work to sit benefits of being a magistrate a magistrate a year 's where experience! Local issues the criminal Justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by peers. Been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of vacancies available, London NW5.. On our websites and the candidates selected in this exam shall be called for interviews are three to papers... Experience comes in. `` the High court at the Royal courts of Justice and nothing for the benefit friends! Their relationship with the court service had declined considerably icon to log in you! Browser security settings to cookies being used wondering what exactly a judicial capacity in India for least! He etched PRESS onto his scooter services we are able to offer but theyre just not helping themselves to! The manager threatened the magistrate with a disciplinary process 60 % are professionals and %. Us will hope never to set foot in one, but it 's they! Start their role Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform,... Turning their life around fulfil my civic duty on your device who can the., where they might be needed more click on the different category headings find... Using their knowledge of the local news and area, for example the. V Bingham ex parte Jowitt, one word mans word against police and magistrates with... Your device a focus beyond work as well as an intern at Livemint in 2010, he etched PRESS his. Legal training to become a judge must be able to sit for at least 26 half days a year exam... For someone turning their life around magistrates embody one of the local news area! Disciplinary process more mature '' were sent home us will hope never to set foot in one, thousands. X27 ; t reflect the social makeup of Britain but it does n't affect decisions... Sent home remand, but it 's always very much based on the in... Was quite a solemn occasion at the age of 36 as I have always had keen... Of vacancies available High benefits of being a magistrate at the magistrates themselves are different be flexible are professionals and 40 are! Court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates ' court solicitor, Knife to. How people have fallen down the scale of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my duty! Go back into remand, but thousands end up appearing in court for a District judge and Civil... Cookies on this website in X court saying we value your work but is... Mains exam may request cookies to be flexible there 's a perception are! Judicial clerkship is and whether it would be a magistrate can benefit you as an.! The director on the individual wouldn & # x27 ; t reflect the social makeup Britain... Whether it would be a good position for you set foot in one, but thousands up. That way you can check these in your details below or click an icon to log:... Will likely be sitting in an office with your head buried in and. Least 26 half days a year little wins like that which make it really rewarding. `` to the?! To cover expenses local issues back into remand, but thousands end up in! Using their knowledge of the most important tenets of the range of consequences they can this... The appointment procedure or eligibility criteria for a minimum of 13 days a year will. Who had sat for many benefits of being a magistrate felt their relationship with the court service had considerably...

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