header-logo header-logo

Low morale in magistrates’ courts

11 June 2025
Issue: 8120 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-detail
Magistrates are resigning from office due to poor working conditions and lack of support and recognition, the Magistrates Association (MA) has warned

In a report published last week, 'Magistrates matter: a plan to ensure magistrates are valued, appreciated and recognised', the MA details its members’ experiences. All unpaid volunteers, they face a lengthy appointments process—sometimes up to two years—report ‘haphazard’ IT training, face frequent last-minute cancellations, cold court buildings and often encounter delays when reclaiming expenses

Mark Beattie JP, national chair of the MA, said volunteer magistrates handle more than 90% of all criminal cases and ‘without them, the system would grind to a halt.

‘However, magistrates are disregarded, neglected, undervalued and often out-of-pocket. While their overwhelming motivation for performing the role is to contribute to their community, and many have been happy to do so despite the lack of appreciation, a lack of support, financial strain, time pressures and insufficient recognition all make volunteering as a magistrate increasingly difficult.’

‘The government has said that, with the current strain in the justice system, magistrate numbers must increase—and sharply—from the current 14,000 to over 20,000,’ Beattie said. ‘However, the hidden costs of service outlined in our report are making it harder to recruit and retain magistrates, particularly from underrepresented groups, such as people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, those aged under 35, people with school-age children, or caring commitments to elderly and/or disabled relatives, and people in full-time employment.’

The report makes seven recommendations, including properly recording volunteering hours, holding recognition events led by Lord-Lieutenants, introducing a ten-year long-service medal and creating a volunteer charter codifying rights and responsibilities.

The MA also calls for a Magistrates’ Attitude Survey similar to the Judicial Attitude Survey, structured opportunities for feedback and a ‘multi-year recruitment and retention strategy’ with targets, long-term forecasting and career development pathways. 
Issue: 8120 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll