People from all walks of life in London are being urged to consider becoming magistrates as applications open in the Capital for this vital role. The appeal is part of a drive to increase the number and diversity of those volunteering.

The Judiciary of England and Wales and the Ministry of Justice are calling on people from London to be part of a new wave of volunteers, giving back to their local community post pandemic.

With no legal qualifications or experience required to be a magistrate, it provides people with the chance to give back to their community while developing new skills.

From teachers to electricians, to stay-at-home parents, anyone aged between 18 and 70 who can commit to at least 13 days a year, for at least five years, is being encouraged to come forward.

With support from magistrates in London, the campaign is seeking to boost numbers by recruiting 4,000 new magistrates over the next few years.

2022 data on the diversity of the current magistracy in London shows an increase in the number of people under 50 (24%) and people from an ethnic minority background (32%) volunteering to be magistrates compared to last year.

The Judiciary of England and Wales and Ministry of Justice are continuing to build on this work to attract a wave of volunteers who are even more representative of the community they serve.

Magistrates are given robust training and an experienced mentor in their first year to develop their skills and legal knowledge. Magistrates typically develop highly transferrable skills such as critical analysis, complex problem solving, mediation, influencing and decision making, all of which stand to benefit them in their wider lives.

Research from the Ministry of Justice amongst HR and business leaders showed they felt people who volunteer as magistrates were likely to have sound judgement (89%) and effective decision-making (81%).

Existing magistrates are stepping forward to talk about the benefits they’ve seen in terms of their own skills boost and the benefits of giving back to encourage others to take part.

Sonal Dave

Sonal Dave is a self-employed Celebrant, Toastmaster and Public Speaking Expert from Harrow. She has worked as a magistrate since 2004 and currently sits in North West London. After thinking about becoming a School Governor, her interest in law and love of legal TV shows, made her want to be a magistrate.

On her role as a magistrate, Sonal says “Having worked in voluntary organisations since childhood, becoming a magistrate has allowed me to create positive change for my local community. It’s important that people from all walks of life consider the role of a magistrate so we ensure each bench is representative of the local community it serves. It’s a privilege to go from watching legal television shows sitting on the sofa to sitting on the bench as a Presiding Justice!”

Being a magistrate is a part-time role that can fit round other working commitments. From making an impact on families’ futures and children’s lives as a family court magistrate, to handling criminal cases as a criminal court magistrate, candidates are being sought to fill positions across all jurisdictions. Whether a family or criminal court magistrate, whichever role volunteers take up, magistrates regularly make decisions that will shape the lives of individuals for years to come.

Applications are now open in London, anyone looking to volunteer can visit icanbeamagistrate.co.uk for more information.