Justice Secretary Alex Norris has launched a national campaign urging people from all walks of life to become magistrates, as the Government targets a 21,000-strong magistracy by 2028-29.
The campaign, titled "You've got the makings of a magistrate", is designed to challenge misconceptions about who can serve and to highlight everyday skills such as fair judgement, empathy, problem-solving and teamwork.
Norris said:
Today we're launching 'You've got the makings of a magistrate' - a campaign encouraging people from all walks of life to consider becoming magistrates.
He added:
Magistrates make a real difference in their communities by helping deliver justice.
Polling shows widespread misunderstanding
The Ministry of Justice says one of the biggest barriers to recruitment is the belief that magistrates need to be lawyers or legal professionals.
New polling commissioned for the campaign found that only 32% of British adults surveyed correctly identified magistrates as volunteers from their local community, while 61% wrongly believed they were judges, lawyers or paid court professionals.
In fact, magistrates do not need formal legal qualifications. They receive training and are supported in court by qualified legal advisers.
Applicants are expected to show they can understand different perspectives, communicate sensitively, make fair and transparent decisions and work professionally with others.
Magistrates hear around 95% of criminal cases
Magistrates play a central role in the justice system. The Government says they currently deal with around 95% of criminal cases, as well as important family court work, and volunteer for a minimum of 13 days each year.
The recruitment drive forms part of a wider effort to increase magistrate capacity and help courts manage caseload pressures. It will run across television, audio and social media, aimed at people who may never previously have considered serving.
Justice Minister Sarah Sackman said magistrates were "ordinary people" making an extraordinary contribution, and stressed that local justice works best when the people making decisions reflect the communities they serve.
How to apply
People interested in becoming magistrates can find vacancies in their area and apply online.
Those applying to sit in criminal courts must normally visit a local magistrates' court at least twice in the 12 months before applying, while applicants interested in family courts are expected to research the role because family proceedings are private.
The Government's message is that becoming a magistrate is not reserved for lawyers or traditional legal professionals — it is a voluntary public-service role open to people with the judgement, empathy and commitment to help deliver justice in their communities.
