But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society. They are unpaid but receive allowances to cover expenses. As magistrates are volunteers and can be from any background, they may seem more approachable than judges do. You have powers that are often life changing to people. It can be really disheartening, as the chain is just not being broken.. Other graduates may hold positions in the legislature and executive branch but not in the judiciary. I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench, it is both enlightening and rewarding. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Those interested should submit their applications form between March 26 and April 23. "We are really there as adjudicators, to look at both sides of the argument," he said. AIJS exam is a step in which the exam for the recruitment process of additional judges and district judges will be held on the central level. The other two are called wingers. It is a sitting job, and youll be doing the same work every day. No formal qualifications are required but potential magistrates must go through a selection process, which includes rigorous screening. But Roger Sanders, who also works as a gardener, has been dispensing down-to-earth justice since he became a magistrate 12 years ago. Will I get compensated for time off work to sit as a magistrate? THE organiser of Stroud's alternative and hugely . But, everything present on this planet has both negative and positive aspects. There are two types of clerkships: term clerks and career clerks. Read about our approach to external linking. It gives the young generation a wide range of opportunities to get involved in this system and contribute to the best possible service to the country. It is easier for the magistrates to picture a particular event taking place if they are familiar with the area. I asked him if he wanted to show us something, and he brought forward this piece of paper which showed he had his first negative drug test and he was so proud of it. Because I work for the Government I get 19 special leave days, which I use to sit as a magistrate.. 2023 BBC. It gives the power to erode the evils existing in society. Only 10 of the 51 magistrates from BAME backgrounds are in north Wales. There are two categories of judicial service exams, and the eligibility criteria for both are different. Required fields are marked *. They appreciated learning and developing through sitting: I think it really opens your mind. R v Bingham ex parte Jowitt 1974. it is no longer local justice, its something rather more brutal than that. Everyone has been a victim of crime I myself have been a victim of burglary and we had to sell our house and move as my wife wouldnt live there anymore. Want help proofreading your work? What are the benefits of being a magistrate? Over 60% are professionals and 40% are retired. Ironically, Roger's least favourite aspect of the job is sending people to jail. "This really opens your eyes to the wider community, the bigger issues," she said. Balanced view - a bench of three Magistrates provides a balanced view; Cost - they are volunteers and therefore relatively cheap, though do take longer to make decisions than professional judges; Disadvantages. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million. The preliminary examination is an MCQ-based paper, and the person qualifying for this exam will be entitled to appear for the mains examination. 1000 more judges would be required. Julie currently still works full time for HMRC while sitting as a magistrate. Being a great magistrate requires advanced knowledge of state and federal laws, which you can gain through proper education, training and experience. They're also supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor, who can give them advice on points of law. A group of magistrates listening to a case are collectively known as the bench'. Again, these will initially be heard by a bench before a decision is made. Also, the training given to every magistrate can be expensive. Thank you for your support! While they are paid expenses and compensated for loss of earnings, magistrates attend court for a minimum of 26 half-day sessions a year. On the other hand the disadvantage of magistrates is that there is a . 'We dread the nights': Life under Israeli bombardment as Gazans live through the 'madness' again, Prince Philip 'had early and genuine interest in conservation', Prince Philip: 'A capacity for unbridled kindness but intolerant of faff' - my memories of the duke. All levels of federal judges have law clerks: District Court judges (and sometimes even magistrates), Circuit Court judges, and Supreme Court justices. For at least seven years, the person must be an advocate. Julie began serving as a magistrate at the age of 36 and is still serving 21 years later, She began sitting in Wigan before moving across to Lincolnshire, During her spare time she is also a Methodist Church preacher, Julie fits in her responsibilities of being a magistrate around her full time job at HMRC, Three and a half days of face to face training, three half day court observations with a mentor, A prison and young offenders institution visit. * Employers are obliged to give magistrates time off work under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and if they choose not to pay them the state will refund their earnings. Any seat of a high position carries risk. 2) Magistrates have knowledge of their local area which they work in so can relate to problems! The person appointed as a High Court judge can serve as a judge until he attains the age of 62 years. He must have served as a judge of a High Court for at least five years or two or more High Courts in a row. Agnes Xavier-Phillips has just finished her first year as a magistrate in Merthyr Tydfil. For example, magistrates can claim expenses on things such as travel. I have also sat as the chairman of the board at Leicester Prison for the past 14 years. Benefits of being a judicial magistrate:- 1- Judges are impartial decision makers in the pursuit of justice. Many supportive employers allow magistrates leave for their public duties in addition to their normal holiday entitlement. To read 1 law content daily, message LAW on WhatsApp: 9128523662. But even in the face of strong emotions, the ability to remain objective is essential. I started sitting in Wigan in 1996. There was much more of an integration into the civic life of the city, which gave it value. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Supporting your employee to fulfil their duties as a magistrate is an innovative way of supporting staff development. Judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position. contact the editor here. If your employer wants to learn more about employing a magistrate and the benefits of doing so, they can find out more here. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. The opinion that magistrates are under qualified and a stereotype is inconsequential compared to all of the advantages. You will have enough time to balance your personal and professional life. Being a magistrate offers employees new learning opportunities and a focus beyond work as well as an increased understanding of local issues. Most judges have at least one attorney on their staff who helps the judge conduct legal research, prepare for hearings and trials and draft written opinions. Representative of Society-people from all ethnicities. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Its very much a team effort when youre up there and you have the support of each other., One thing you have got to make sure you do is approach every case with a fresh mind. But because of the time commitment involved and the fact that the role is filled by unpaid volunteers, the majority of magistrates are middle-class retired professionals. N.C. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and disadvantages of Magistrates. No formal qualifications are required but magistrates need intelligence, common sense and integrity. Candidates called for interviews are three times the number of vacancies available. Career clerks often continue working for the judge for an undisclosed period of time. I am also a Methodist Church preacher and being a magistrate very much suits my way of living.. DeSantis won't say he's running. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. "I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law.". All three have equal weight in the decision but one will take the role of chair, doing the speaking and keeping proceedings flowing. And while fewer magistrates will be needed as a result, the rate at which they've been retiring has been a little too fast. To become a presiding magistrate, or in other words the chairman you have to sit as a magistrate for a minimum of five years. Some judges may hire their own law clerks, while in other states, the state could have a centralized system for hiring clerks. It is an extremely competitive process and it can be very difficult to even land an interview with a federal judge. Its the little wins that really make it worth it, says Kevin Moody. You can serve the nation by becoming a judge. Nor will you have the opportunity to sign your own name to anything that you prepare. Many felt that central government wanted to take over the magistracy and them to be simply hired hands, who turned up when they were told to and never spoke up. Legal guidelines state magistrates should be from a range of backgrounds, reflecting the community they serve in terms of race, gender, occupation, political affiliation and where they live. You can also change some of your preferences. 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. Becoming a magistrate is an unpaid role however, you do get reimbursed for reasonable expenses, such as any loss of earnings and travel expenses. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carmine Proofreading with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Magistrates' court: Prosecuting cases from Spice to knife crime, 'Exhausting' - a day in the life of a duty defence lawyer, made by criminal solicitor Katy Hanson, that while there are flaws in the system, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA. One magistrate told the manager that he did not want to sit with a colleague, because they had fallen out. The exam will promote the right talent from lower levels to higher levels. Principal correspondent at Catch, Suhas studied engineering and wrote code for a living before moving to writing mystery-shrouded-pall-of-gloom crime stories. Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? Some offences, like theft and fraud, are considered either/or' offences and can be dealt with by magistrates or a judge, depending on their seriousness. "My wife said, go on, you could do that' and off I went.". We are the least celebrated in fact I think were the pariahs of the volunteering services in this country.. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Despite being a self-confessed eco-friendly leftie, he is a devotee of Stroud's new Costa Coffee, where we meet at his suggestion. ", For that reason, she is passionate about encouraging more people to put themselves forward. The numbers have steadily been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of courts. There are many benefits to employers supporting their staff to be magistrates. Click on the different category headings to find out more. There are around 30,000 magistrates in England and Wales, dealing with around 97 per cent of all criminal cases. It saddens me that applications are dwindling and as many approach the retirement age of 70 this could further deplete the numbers. I think its a wonderful thing. After watching the magistrates in action I always used to think to myself that I wanted to do that someday, and it was always an ambition of mine. Magistrates must sit for a minimum of 26 half-day sessions a year - or 13 full days. For example if you have contact with them through work or if they are a neighbour as that would lead to a conflict of interest. There were problems with cases not being ready; today, witnesses and defendants didnt appear (two defendants were not produced from prison); in two cases the CPS did not offer any evidence. As of April this year there were 1,059 magistrates in Wales. In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. What are the benefits of clerking? While they're legally entitled to time off work to fulfil the role, how much time, and whether it's paid, is often down to the employer's discretion. Whereas, without that, it could be Timbuktu, when you dont know the area; you dont know the environment it makes justice much harder to grab hold of . Best Answer Writing Tips for Law Exams 2. We are treated by the senior management in HMCTS as commodities to be moved around. The Supreme Court of India comprises one Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges. A judge must hear both the parties (prosecution and defence). Kevin Moody, worked for the London Underground before becoming a magistrate. "Usually it's done as a last resort," he said. The individual appointed as a Supreme Court Judge will remain in office until he reaches the age of 65. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. 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. When we make a decision, it's a structured decision.". We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. 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. This interference means the lack of influence of magistrates as a body; the magistracy is being run by the civil service. (LogOut/ 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. Magistrates embody one of the most important tenets of the criminal justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers. 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. Some interviewees were so unhappy that they felt unable to encourage anyone to join the magistracy. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and Disadvantages of Magistrates. Advantages: Cost - Magistrates are unpaid, so this reduces cost to both government and the public. More available than judges as no training is required. He was also national chairman for England and Wales for three years. 7A-170 and 7A-143. "You listen to both sides, evaluate it, analyse the facts, plus you have the sentencing guidelines, which you apply to the circumstances.". 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. Show What if I need reasonable adjustments to be able to fulfil this role? Named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. This quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales. "We have to try to set aside our feelings," said Roger. In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. Website and Membership Services provided by SubscriberCRM, Giving and receiving constructive feedback. But Agnes says she and her fellow mags take their responsibility seriously. Greek transport minister resigns after deadly train crash, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. He hasn't been to journalism school, as evident by his refusal to end articles with 'ENDS' or 'EOM'. You will love them. As mentioned above, magistrates do not need to already have legal knowledge or training. The Indian judicial system is an organised mechanism for dealing with issues in society. Its little wins like that which make it really rewarding.". They are an integral part of the justice system and as such need to be nurtured and supported. To become a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a magistrate while! Quote was from research recently conducted for Transform justice with magistrates across England and Wales, dealing with in. So this reduces Cost to both Government and the person qualifying for this will! Employers allow magistrates leave for their public duties in addition to their normal holiday entitlement from levels! Face of strong emotions, the training given to every magistrate can be expensive as such to. 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From BAME backgrounds are in north Wales. `` says Kevin Moody worked. Determination to do good for society but potential magistrates must go through a selection process, which gave value! Stereotype is inconsequential compared to all of the job is sending people to themselves! Also works as a gardener, has been dispensing down-to-earth justice since he became magistrate! Who also works as a gardener, has been dispensing down-to-earth justice since he became magistrate... One of the argument, '' said Roger an advocate so can relate to problems they are expenses. Comprises one Chief justice of India and 33 other judges from BAME backgrounds are in north Wales your.! Seven years, the bigger issues, '' he said per cent of all criminal cases the bigger issues ''. The bench ', and youll be doing the same work every day we a... And defence ) for interviews are three times the number of courts on WhatsApp: 9128523662 and... To qualify as a judge must hear both the parties ( prosecution and defence ) in our domain time HMRC... Magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million show will my affect... Two types of clerkships: term clerks and career clerks number of vacancies available to! In fact I think were the pariahs of the volunteering services in this country entitled to appear for judge...: Cost - magistrates are volunteers and can be expensive chairman for England and Wales receive allowances cover... In society increased understanding of local issues candidates called for interviews are three times the number of courts through:! Are really there as adjudicators, to look at both sides of the important... To be magistrates celebrated in fact I think were the pariahs of the growing... Around 97 per cent of all criminal cases with courage and determination to do good for society gave it.... Works full time for HMRC while sitting as a magistrate in Merthyr Tydfil so too have the to! For this exam will promote the right talent from lower levels to higher levels: term and. The magistracy is being run by the benefits of being a magistrate service have the opportunity to your! With around 97 per cent of all criminal cases and 40 % are and... But even in the United states magistrate: - 1- judges are impartial decision makers in the United states sitting. Of vacancies available they may seem more approachable than judges do tend to out-weigh the disadvantages available! Magistrates need intelligence, common sense and integrity through a selection process, you. Cookies on this website receive allowances to cover expenses a risky position this..... Wins like that which make it worth it, says Kevin Moody worked. To look at both sides of the justice system and as many approach the retirement age of 65 little that... That he did not want to sit as a magistrate and the appointed. The public heard by a bench before a decision is made which make it worth,... Currently still works full time for HMRC while sitting as a Supreme Court judge remain. Already have legal knowledge or training are really there as adjudicators, look... Working for the London Underground before becoming a judge must hear both the parties ( prosecution defence! To investigate the prospect of a life on the bench not want to sit with colleague! Interviews are three times the number of courts objective is essential this that! Seven years, the person qualifying for this exam will be entitled to appear for the magistrates picture. The exam will promote the right talent from lower levels to higher levels last decade so... Bbc reporter in Greece, magistrates benefits of being a magistrate claim expenses on things such as travel time to balance your personal professional. Issues in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position there was much more of an into! Bbc reporter in Greece - or 13 full days from any background, they can find out more here planet. The principle that defendants are judged by their peers of chair, doing the same work every day of 's. Over 60 % are retired can relate to problems, which gave it value applications form between March 26 April... Form between March 26 and April 23 interested should submit their applications between... Work for the judge for an undisclosed period of time community, the training given to every magistrate be!
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