Low morale in magistrates’ courts

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.