Skip to content

Law

Magistrate

Magistrates are volunteers who hear cases in court. They pass judgements and hand down short sentences, fines and other penalties.

Annual Salary

variable

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

variable

You could work: 9am to 5pm; flexibly

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Magistrate jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role, you could:

  • sit with 2 other magistrates in adult and youth courts
  • listen to evidence from witnesses, defendants, complainants and victims
  • take advice from the court legal adviser on points of law
  • make judgements and explaining reasons
  • consider applications for bail and set conditions
  • pass prison sentences, fines, or community and training orders
  • send more serious cases up to crown court for jury trial
  • work in family court cases like adoption or domestic abuse
  • mentor and support new magistrates

Working environment

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

You could work in a court or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You can get into this role through:

  • official appointment
Volunteering and work experience

You can get insight into the work of a magistrate's court by arranging to visit one in your local area. This may help if you later apply for selection to be a magistrate.

You should contact the court before you go, so that staff can direct you to the most appropriate court open to the public.

Other routes

Magistrates are selected for appointment by a local advisory committee.

You do not need a legal background or law qualification to become a magistrate but you do need to be:

  • of good character
  • aware of local social issues
  • an understanding person
  • mature, with a sense of fairness
  • committed to serving the community

If you're appointed, you'll be given training before you sit in court, which usually includes a prison visit and meeting with the probation service. You'll also be assigned a mentor, who will support you during your first 12 months.

You'll continue to receive professional development training and have regular in-court assessments of your work.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You must be over 18 and under 65 when appointed. You'll be expected to serve for at least 5 years. You must retire when you reach 70.
  • British nationality is not required but you should be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Crown.
  • Your current job or business interests may lead to a conflict of interest and bar you from becoming a magistrate. For example if you're a police officer or prison officer you cannot become a magistrate in the criminal court.
  • Your local advisory committee can tell you more about these restrictions.
  • pass enhanced background checks
  • pass security checks

More information

Career tips

As a volunteer magistrate, you'll be expected to work at least 13 full days in a year, or 26 half days. You will not be paid as a magistrate but you can claim an allowance for expenses.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a magistrate from the:Magistrates Association; Courts and Tribunals Judiciary; GOV.UK

Showing jobs in:
View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could act as the chairperson or presiding magistrate on a panel of 3 magistrates in court.

You could also specialise in particular courts like the family court, or the youth court.

You could volunteer to mentor new magistrates or apply to sit with judges on panels hearing appeals.

You could also use your experience to join committees advising policy makers on judicial issues, for example prison standards or sentencing guidelines.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • active listening skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
My top 5 skills
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register