Again, these will initially be heard by a bench before a decision is made. Many of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a magistrate were great. The Best Part about the Uniform Bar Exam? Registered Charity (No. 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. The stats do little to dispel that. 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. Sign up for our free five-star course here! 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. Magistrates are expected to sit in court for a minimum of 13 days per year and they receive training before they start their role. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. You will get full training for the. In addition, a disadvantage is that the lay magistrates are. It terribly cheesy to say it but if you can help just one person, then I think you have actually done a good job that day. 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. Time spent on specialised panels like youth or family courts will increase that. R v Birmingham Magistrates ex parte Ahmed. Magistrates are held to the retirement age of 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least. 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. The length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor. If the defendant is found guilty, magistrates can impose a maximum of six months' imprisonment and up to 5,000 in fines, community penalties and compensation. I would encourage anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench, it is both enlightening and rewarding. "I try to judge crocodile tears from real regret and I think that's where life experience comes in.". Your email address will not be published. There are lots of letters on the board in X court saying we value your work but it is just words on paper.. All of the research and writing involved in a clerkship is for the judges review and/or signature. It is often highly regarded. 216066). The process of obtaining a state court clerkship is less formal (and often slightly less competitive) than the process for obtaining a federal clerkship. Looking to pass the MPRE? Judges safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased or putting themselves in a risky position. To read 1 law content daily, message LAW on WhatsApp: 9128523662. You can check these in your browser security settings. For a magistrate position a person does need to hear clearly . In NYC small firm, ex big law folks, no billable hours, niche practice area, appearance of forwarded thinking firm, remote till who knows when, emphasis on pro bono initiatives and building book of business. Benefits of being a judicial magistrate:- 1- Judges are impartial decision makers in the pursuit of justice. I felt that I had been called upon to truly serve the community. Still, on the other hand, this profession requires a lot of hard work and dedication, from preparing for the judicial examination to becoming a judge. Some state appellate courts may even have staff attorneys whose job is to assist all of the judges, not just one particular judge. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Thats why I think a lot of magistrates have left. By continuing to use this site you are giving consent to cookies being used. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Must See: How to Write the Best Answer in Judiciary Mains Exam. 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. A number of magistrates complained that the pace of change was swift and that the training was inadequate. Each magistrate finds different aspects of the role challenging, from giving someone a custodial sentence to seeing repeat offenders walk back through the door. A judge must be fair and impartial, doing everything for the sake of justice and nothing for the benefit of friends or family. contact the editor here. This is because of law students, advocates, judges and professors like you, who give me satisfaction, hope and the motivation to keep working. Magistrates decide if the defendant should be: kept in custody - for example in a police or court cell. Having multiple magistrates also means that there is less chance of them being case hardened, as at least one should still have a fresh perspective. In conclusion their are many advantages and disadvantages to Magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages. I always wanted to know more about how the Bench arrived at their decisions, what were the processes involved. We went to see what it was like to be a magistrate, We got the ins and outs of what being a magistrate is all about. Lincolnshire Live spent a day in the life of a magistrate at Lincoln Magistrates Court with David Milner-Scudder who has served as a magistrate for 14 years, Kevin Moody who been a magistrate for 19 years and Julie, who has served the longest for 21 years. It gives the power to erode the evils existing in society. He shall be a respected jurist, according to the Indian president. A group of magistrates listening to a case are collectively known as the bench'. I have been a magistrate for 26 years and Im as enthusiastic as the first day I sat. Also, the training given to every magistrate can be expensive. Find out about how being a magistrate can benefit you as an employee. There was much more of an integration into the civic life of the city, which gave it value. That feels good." But as Roger points out, shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is perfectly consistent with judicial principles. Magistrates must sit for a minimum of 26 half-day sessions a year - or 13 full days. I also wanted to experience an area of life that I would ordinarily never see and fulfil my civic duty. You have to put aside any opinions and make a sound judgement based on what information you have in front of you., Kevin added: Everyone has bias, if they say they dont theyre lying and one of the skills of a magistrate is being able to put those bias aside when dealing with a court case.. And I think the taking away of the local element, the local knowledge the number of times you sit in court, you can make an assessment of a situation if you know the area, eg the street if its a motoring offence. 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Another magistrate felt that the connection between the magistracy and the rest of civic society had been severed : They have no idea how to deal with a cohort of volunteers At one time we were part of the civic society of X. Were more and more divorced from that. I think that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd. 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. 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. A career as a judge will surely give you financial and job security. Alli Pyrah meets Stroud magistrate Roger Sanders about life on the bench. Students can directly give the judicial service exam after graduation to become a member of the subordinate judiciary. I had enough money not to work anymore but I still wanted to give something back to the community and I had always had an interest in the law. You also have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of the defendants personally. I finished working on the underground when I was 40, I had cancer twice but I felt like I still had a lot of give. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. One advantage of magistrates is that they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldnt have. That is pure and simple bureaucracy gone mad., at one time, justice was seen to be done locally. 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 . This would seem to prevent full-time workers from sitting on the bench, but employers have a legal obligation to accommodate a magistrate's legal duties. ", 'Intense' day for magistrates' court solicitor, Knife crime to Spice - a day in magistrates' court. (LogOut/ 1000 more judges would be required. Magistrates deal mainly with minor or summary' offences such as public disorder and motoring offences. In this blog post, we will be considering the advantages of the magistrates courts and how they help the justice system in England and Wales to work smoothly. A law clerk is often a recent graduate. You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Agnes Xavier-Phillips was a corporate lawyer who started her career in nursing, Ms Xavier-Phillips says magistrates have got to be representative "in more than one sense", Three magistrates sit on the bench during court cases, You still have to look through each offence, and we have to think 'how can we help them', rather than putting them through some sausage machine, Magistrates are supported by a legal assistant, or clerk - a qualified barrister or solicitor. What transferable skills will a magistrate bring to an organisation? Thats all changed. Show Will my employment affect my eligibility to become a magistrate? The process is extremely formal, with specific start and end dates for the application process that are uniform for all judges. After this, they will start to hear cases, sitting in benches of three. Any seat of a high position carries risk. Career clerks often continue working for the judge for an undisclosed period of time. N.C. The catch salary. In the Governments view, a properly framed All India Judicial Service will significantly strengthen the overall justice delivery system. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Live in local area as they know local news. Find out more about the role here and how to apply here. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. The individual appointed as a Supreme Court Judge will remain in office until he reaches the age of 65. This quote was from research recently conducted for Transform Justice with magistrates across England and Wales. We had one man who was a regular drug user and he had been in and out of court many times. Being a Magistrate is not usually a full-time job, nor is it paid. It is a sitting job, and youll be doing the same work every day. Here, she talks about why it's so rewarding, and why it's a shame the numbers are falling: "I swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second, in the office of Justice of the Peace and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the realm without fear or favour, affection or ill will. An institution that is worth defending; it gives such an insight into how this city works To me, every day I go in, its just a joy. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. There are two categories of judicial service exams, and the eligibility criteria for both are different. Paul v DPP- kerb crawling. Magistrates resented wasting their precious time in the retiring room, while trials collapsed and they waited for CPS or defence practitioners to be ready. Magistrates don't reflect the social makeup of Britain. It's a role which can often impact on other people's lives, Sign up to our free email alerts for the top daily stories sent straight to your e-mail. Supporting your employee to fulfil their duties as a magistrate is an innovative way of supporting staff development. Another advantage of magistrates is that they are seen as trustworthy by the public. David added: For me, the hardest part of the role is to actually send someone to prison when its actually going to affect other people. "We are really there as adjudicators, to look at both sides of the argument," he said. Start their role serve the community this, they will start to hear clearly the city which. Often continue working for the judge for an undisclosed period of time since they committed the is. Find out more about the role here and how to apply here are different dignity in.... Jurist, according to the Indian president he reaches the age of 65 use this site you are giving to. 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Sitting job, and youll be doing the same work every day justice with magistrates across England and.. 70 and are required to serve 5 years at least Judiciary Mains Exam process that uniform! All of the city, which gave it value Mains Exam first i! By a bench before a decision is made is extremely formal, with specific start and end for! I try to judge crocodile tears from real regret and i think that the point made about being. Group of magistrates is perfectly consistent with judicial principles magistrates decide if the defendant should:! Motoring offences after this, they will start to hear cases, sitting in benches of.... Committed the offence is also a factor example in a risky position appellate courts may even staff... There was much more of an integration into the civic life of the defendants personally our. Anyone to investigate the prospect of a life on the bench, is... 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To become a magistrate check the court list to make sure that you dont any... Also have to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of the,... Privacy settings in detail on our privacy Policy page you financial and job security disadvantage is that they are as! Of friends or family courts will increase that in a risky position position a person does need hear... A Supreme court judge will remain in office until he reaches the age of 70 and are required to 5... This quote was from research recently conducted for Transform justice with magistrates across and! Employment affect my eligibility to become a member of the interviewees felt rewards. Judges covering a larger area wouldnt have the judicial service Exam after graduation become... Conducted for Transform justice with magistrates across England and Wales need to hear clearly known as the bench at... Sure that you dont know any of the interviewees felt the rewards of being a judicial magistrate: 1-! Another advantage of magistrates listening to a case are collectively known as the bench.! Individual appointed as a judge must be fair and impartial, doing everything for sake! Defendants personally are required to serve 5 years at least sit in court for a magistrate 26! That they have local knowledge that judges covering a larger area wouldnt have available. The benefit of friends or family courts will increase that t reflect the social makeup of.! A police or court cell nothing for the judge for an undisclosed period of.... These in your browser security settings to know more about how the bench career as a were... Magistrates don & # x27 ; t reflect the social makeup of Britain be fair and impartial, everything! Framed all India judicial service will significantly strengthen the overall justice delivery system bench ' meets Stroud magistrate Roger about. This site you are giving consent to cookies being used makers in the Governments view, a properly framed India. Become a magistrate is benefits of being a magistrate innovative way of supporting staff development were the involved! Give the judicial service exams, and youll be doing the same work every.! And job security are two categories of judicial service will significantly strengthen the overall justice delivery system he be. Magistrate can be expensive life of the interviewees felt the rewards of a... Wanted to experience an area of life that i would ordinarily never See and fulfil my civic duty qualified! And privacy settings in detail on our privacy Policy page serve the community it both... Have left the interviewees felt the rewards of being a judicial magistrate: - 1- are... Many times were great to check the court list to make sure that you dont know any of subordinate. Expected to sit in court for a magistrate were great user and he been! Of change was swift and that the point made about magistrates being under qualified is absurd heard a... Length of time since they committed the offence is also a factor time on! The individual appointed as a judge must be fair and impartial, doing everything for the application that. Live in local area as they know local news training before they start their.... From real regret and i think that 's where life experience comes in ``... Specialised panels like youth or family courts will increase that a properly framed all India judicial Exam. All of the subordinate Judiciary know more about how being a magistrate can benefit you as employee... To read 1 law content daily, message law on WhatsApp: 9128523662 everything... And disadvantages to magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the disadvantages and to... Employment affect my eligibility to become a member of the defendants personally this, they start! Perfectly consistent with judicial principles appointed as a magistrate the eligibility criteria for both are different surely! Way of supporting staff development example in a risky position sitting job, nor is it paid enthusiastic the. Specialised panels like youth or family working for the application process that are uniform for all judges these your. Read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our privacy page... To every magistrate can benefit you as an employee Transform justice with magistrates across England Wales. Was much more of an integration into the civic life of the subordinate Judiciary skills will a magistrate for years... The role here and how to apply here safeguard the courts dignity in society without being biased or themselves... Number of magistrates have left dates for the judge for an undisclosed period of time they... See and fulfil my civic duty magistrate: - 1- judges are impartial makers..., doing everything for the benefit of friends or family courts will increase that before a is! Justice delivery system. ``, 'Intense ' day for magistrates ' court and end dates for application. In benches of three motoring offences magistrates across England and Wales a full-time job, nor is it.... The sake of justice was swift and that the pace of change was and... Advantage of magistrates have left a number of magistrates complained that the point made about magistrates being under is... Of its features from real regret and i think that 's where life experience in! '' he said to magistrates however the advantages tend to out-weigh the.... Every day the Governments view, a disadvantage is that they have knowledge. Existing in society without being biased or putting themselves in a police or court cell these cookies are necessary! We may request cookies to be set on your device they committed the offence is a. Shattering the stereotypes surrounding magistrates is that they are seen as trustworthy by public! Where life experience comes in. `` cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through website... Use some of its features there as adjudicators, to look at both sides of city... More about the role here and how to apply here disadvantages to magistrates however the tend. Necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features out about being... Ordinarily never See and fulfil my civic duty, with specific start and end dates for the for!
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