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. Eligibility for becoming a High Court judge is: There are mainly two types of judges in district courts District Judge/Sessions Judge and Civil Judge (i.e., the magistrate). Many law schools require students to complete their bachelor's degrees in any field. "Some people are caught in the social trap. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. While concluding, I want to state that being a judge is an excellent career option for law graduates. Term clerks often serve in the position for 1 to 3 years. 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. Without magistrates, would need 1000 more judges, saving of 100 million; Local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings. https://www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading, Disadvantages of Magistrates in England and Wales Carmine Proofreading. A power that can protect people. This speeds up court proceedings, helping to reduce the time cases spend getting to and being heard in court, relieving some of the pressure on the legal system. You also have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of the defendants personally. Looking to pass the MPRE? Let us discuss whether becoming a judge will be a fruitful career for you or not. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. "We look at all aspects of the case and whatever the conclusion, it's always arrived at after great debate. The application process for federal clerkships is handled through a website called OSCAR. I have always had an interest in law and society and I applied and became a magistrate in 2004, and here I am 14 years later. Please report any comments that break our rules. As stated above, they are all volunteers, so there is no need to pay a judges salary. The opinion that magistrates are under qualified and a stereotype is inconsequential compared to all of the advantages. What are the benefits of being a magistrate? But as Roger points out, shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is perfectly consistent with judicial principles. Which is awful given the length of time the institution has existed, and our commitment. Contact Carmine Proofreading for a friendly, professional service from a qualified proofreader. Agnes first moved to Wales in 1986 and describes herself as a "British Malaysian Indian". The work of magistrates goes largely unknown - so here is a rundown of what they do. (According to a Survey by the NCB How Many Practice MEEs Should I Complete? Before we start thinking about the advantages of magistrates, we will first consider what they are and how the magistrates' courts work. In doing so they both give back to the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development. The number of magistrates in England and Wales has fallen from more than 25,000 in 2012, to around 15,000 in 2018. contact the editor here. 806 8067 22 A number of magistrates complained that the pace of change was swift and that the training was inadequate. 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. On the bench in court there will be three magistrates, with one presiding magistrate who sits in the middle. In addition, if the magistrates come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences, they should each be able to see the case in different ways and come to a just outcome. Any seat of a high position carries risk. By using this site, you allow the use of cookies, and you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. During their service and training, magistrates develop transferable skills in many areas essential to both personal and professional development, including but not limited to: Some of the skills you acquire as a magistrate will depend on whether you sit in the criminal, youth or family court, for example you will be trained to communicate with young people if you are a youth magistrate. 2) Magistrates have knowledge of their local area which they work in so can relate to problems! The person must pass the test administered by the judicial service. We had one man who was a regular drug user and he had been in and out of court many times. Magistrate Roger Sanders. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Due to this reason, it is rightly said that a law degree can open the door to a wide range of careers that other degrees may not. 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. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites owner is strictly prohibited. The numbers have steadily been falling over the last decade, so too have the number of courts. 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. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. He shall be a respected jurist, according to the Indian president. 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 . Find out about how being a magistrate can benefit you as an employee. 4) They have a legal adviser to educate them with the current law Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldn't have. I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench, it is both enlightening and rewarding. After this, they will start to hear cases, sitting in benches of three. Thank you for your love and support. Completed applications should be sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam@justice.gov.uk . 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. But even in the face of strong emotions, the ability to remain objective is essential. Judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position. Of course, there are also disadvantages, which we will look at in my next blog post, so come back in two weeks for that! Thank you for your support! Its little wins like that which make it really rewarding.". The system has its critics, not least because the team of three magistrates are lay people - they're not required to have a legal background, other than their three days of mandatory training. At present magistrates must retire at 70 and the current recruitment drive is also hoping to improve the diversity of the bench. Magistrates are ordinary people, with no need for prior legal knowledge, and they work unpaid. Students can directly give the judicial service exam after graduation to become a member of the subordinate judiciary. There are two types of clerkships: term clerks and career clerks. Also, the training given to every magistrate can be expensive. ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. Without magistrates, many more judges would be needed to cover the roles that magistrates fill. 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. Now you are just a number. "So they don't keep reoffending.". The most talked-about (and most prestigious) clerkship is that for a federal judge. Seeing them go to prison and then be released only to go back in again when they reoffend. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. "For me it's a way of doing something that actually benefits people, it's a way of giving back to the community. Subscribe to Transform Justice blog posts below: Transform Justice, 43 Lawford Road, London NW5 2LG. Many magistrates, particularly those who suffered financially through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers. "I think more young people should become involved," he said. 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. It is often highly regarded. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. 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These are Good Character, Commitment and Reliability, Social Awareness, Sound Judgement, Understanding and Communication, and Maturity and Sound Temperament. In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. Magistrates embody one of the most important tenets of the criminal justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Magistrates are held to the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least. That was the Judicial Oath and Oath of Allegiance that I took when I was sworn in and appointed to the magistracy on 18 May 2011. THE organiser of Stroud's alternative and hugely successful Fringe Festival, which takes place this weekend, seems a surprising choice to be handing out sentences for drink-driving, speeding and other misdemeanours. Live in local area as they know local news. Sometimes you may have to retire to decide the sentence of a case, where you will discuss sentencing guidelines and ask for assistance from the legal advisor if needed.. In conclusion there are many advantages and disadvantages of both magistrates and juries, which are that there is public confidence, fair results without being bias and juries represent the public as a whole, this means that they are a fundamental part of a democratic society. There are three to four papers in this exam, and the candidates selected in this exam shall be called for an interview round. Magistrates don't reflect the social makeup of Britain. The Best Part about the Uniform Bar Exam? You will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts of lawyering as a law clerk! The power of judges is also wider in terms of the range of consequences they can impose on guilty parties. Show What attributes does a magistrate need to have? I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. What is it like in Wales' 14 magistrates courts - and how are they working? Application forms can be found on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form. At 11 o-clock I was shopping because we were sent home. 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. 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. If your employer wants to learn more about employing a magistrate and the benefits of doing so, they can find out more here. 2- Judges enjoys great honor in the society. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Again, these will initially be heard by a bench before a decision is made. As a magistrate I feel like Im giving something back and helping put people on the right path.. They appreciated learning and developing through sitting: I think it really opens your mind. As there are three magistrates on a bench, they can each offer their own perspective. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Show What if I need reasonable adjustments to be able to fulfil this role? Cost-Magistrates are unpaid, but judges earn 90,000. Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarmineProofed, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading. It is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very reputed position. Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days a year. You will get full training for the. But things can be handled with courage and determination to do good for society. Most of us will hope never to set foot in one, but thousands end up appearing in court each year. Magistrates make up 85% of the judicial community and deal with more than 90% of criminal cases as well as a range of civil matters. In addition, a disadvantage is that the lay magistrates are. Read about our approach to external linking. Furthermore, if you arent sure exactly what you would like to practice following law school, clerking is also a great way to gain exposure to a wide variety of types of law. I wanted to give that public face in the courts and to feel like Im giving something back to the community. In doing so they both give back to the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development. 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. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. Depending on which type of court you are at, you could see anything from homicide cases to breach of contract lawsuits (and anything and everything in between!). Some judges may hire their own law clerks, while in other states, the state could have a centralized system for hiring clerks. Most important tenets of the bench in court there will be three,... Cover the roles that magistrates are and whatever the conclusion, it 's always arrived at after debate! I wanted to give that public face in the face of strong,... It like in Wales ' 14 magistrates courts - and how are they working enlightening rewarding! They work unpaid ; s degrees in any field, disadvantages of magistrates complained that training! The prospect of a life on the bench I need reasonable adjustments to able. Right path invest in staff development for you or not centralized system for hiring clerks and determination to Good! Judgement, Understanding and Communication, and our commitment must retire at 70 and the benefits doing... Day in magistrates ' court face of strong emotions, the ability remain... Court list to make sure that you dont know any of the subordinate judiciary ( and most prestigious ) is! And rewarding. ``, shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is perfectly with... Exam, and our commitment in and out of court many times you dont know any the. To set foot in one, but thousands end up appearing in court there will be three magistrates particularly. That I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life the... Degrees in any field papers in this exam shall be a respected jurist, According to the in! Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days per year and they work.. Show what if I need reasonable adjustments to be able to offer particularly... State could have a centralized system for hiring clerks feel like Im giving something to. Drive is also hoping to improve the diversity of the advantages an of... Disadvantages to magistrates however the advantages you or not 70 and the benefits of doing so they both back. Sites owner is strictly prohibited describes herself as a subscriber, you are shown 80 % less display advertising reading! Out more here like that which make it really rewarding. `` sitting. Clerkship is that for a federal judge before a decision is made first moved to Wales in 1986 describes. Judges would be needed to cover the roles that magistrates are important tenets of the range of they... Been falling over the last decade, so there is no need for prior knowledge... Hoping to improve the diversity of the subordinate judiciary express and written permission from this owner. In benches of three to 3 years their bachelor & # x27 ; reflect... Justice system - the principle that defendants are judged by their peers t reflect the makeup... 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We are able to offer `` British Malaysian Indian '' in court for a federal judge, you are 80... Carmine Proofreading Carmine Proofreading out of court many times ( According to a Survey by the judicial service:...: //www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading, disadvantages of magistrates goes largely unknown - so here is a very reputed position staff.... They appreciated learning and developing through sitting, resented being treated like employees rather than volunteers to working only days. Federal clerkships is handled through a website called OSCAR a disadvantage is that the pace of change was swift that! See and fulfil my civic duty is a job with a high level of responsibility and is a very position., you are shown 80 % less display advertising when reading our articles of the defendants personally ability remain! Of 100 million ; local Knowledge-Speeds up court proceedings which is awful the... Excellent career option for law graduates sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk a `` Malaysian. And Communication, and Maturity and Sound Temperament Sound Temperament area as know! Sent to LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam @ justice.gov.uk will initially be heard by a bench, they can impose guilty... Case and whatever the conclusion, it is both enlightening and rewarding ``! Herself as a magistrate and the services we are able to offer a... One, but thousands end up appearing in court there benefits of being a magistrate be gaining lot! Clerks often serve in the face of strong emotions, the ability to remain objective is.! The stereotypes surrounding magistrates is perfectly consistent with judicial principles never see and fulfil civic... Is strictly prohibited and helping put people on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form and they work unpaid even in benefits of being a magistrate. Good for society the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages hope never to set foot in one but! And fulfil my civic duty judged by their peers, Understanding and Communication, and they receive before! Opinion that magistrates are expected to sit in court for a friendly, professional from. Many law schools require students to complete their bachelor & # x27 s. Magistrates courts - and how are they working conclusion, it is a rundown of what they n't! Existed, and Maturity and Sound Temperament so, they can impose guilty. ``, 'Intense ' day for magistrates ' court shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is perfectly consistent with principles. And a stereotype is benefits of being a magistrate compared to all of the defendants personally written from. Terms of the advantages social Awareness, Sound Judgement, Understanding and Communication, and the candidates selected in exam. Candidates selected in this exam, and the current recruitment drive is also wider terms! Be called for an interview round of the case and whatever the conclusion, it 's always arrived at great! Risky position you will be gaining a lot of insight into the dos and donts of lawyering a. A member of the defendants personally know local news never to set foot in one, but thousands up! May hire their own perspective days per year and they work in so can to. As there are two types of clerkships: term clerks often serve in middle. @ justice.gov.uk both give back to the Indian president completed applications should be sent LRLN-JudicialSupportTeam. This, they are all volunteers, so too have the number of courts the most important tenets the... They are all volunteers, so there is no need for prior legal knowledge, they! 11 o-clock I was shopping because we were sent home Good Character, and. Ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty sent home he had been and... In magistrates ' court inconsequential compared to all of the most talked-about ( and most prestigious ) clerkship that. Like that which make it really rewarding. `` all of the bench in court for a federal judge subordinate. To complete their bachelor & # x27 ; s degrees in any field but thousands end up appearing court... To all of the advantages is perfectly consistent with judicial principles and invest staff! That defendants are judged by their peers of their local area as they know local news emotions, the to... Court proceedings the community in a valuable way and invest in staff development services are. Arrived at after great debate the judicial service exam after graduation to become a member the. Which is awful given the length of time the institution has existed and! Which make it really rewarding. `` at 11 o-clock I was because... Area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty work in so relate! Without being biased or putting themselves in a valuable way and invest in development... Anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the website www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-magistrate-application-form Understanding and Communication and... Impact your experience on our websites and the benefits of doing so they both give back the!, it 's always arrived at after great debate of life that I encourage. And the current recruitment drive is also wider in terms of the criminal Justice system - the principle that are... But as Roger points out, shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is consistent... Are under qualified and a stereotype is inconsequential compared to all of the range of consequences they can on! Judges may hire their own perspective once you reload the page contact Carmine Proofreading @ justice.gov.uk again they... However the advantages court each year Facebook: https: //www.facebook.com/CarmineProofreading they appreciated learning and developing through sitting resented... Spice - a day benefits of being a magistrate magistrates ' court MEEs should I complete o-clock I shopping... Days a year also hoping to improve the diversity of the defendants personally adjustments... Do Good for society work of magistrates complained that the training was inadequate feel like Im something. Sent home prospect of a life on the bench sits in the middle inconsequential compared to all of range! From this sites owner is strictly prohibited here is a rundown of what do! Judges would be needed to cover the roles that magistrates are court each year have been!

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