*/
Magistrates should be permitted to sentence convicted defendants for up to 12 months in prison for a single offence, a committee of MPs has recommended.
The Justice Committee’s report, The Role of the Magistracy, also called for a clearer strategy to tackle the ‘low morale’ on the bench and ‘serious’ recruitment issues.
The number of magistrates has almost halved in the last decade, from 30,000 in 2006 to 17,500 now. Of those, 86% are aged 50 or over and 89% are white.
Committee chairman, Bob Neill said: ‘It is unfortunate that the government’s evident goodwill towards the magistracy has not yet been translated into any meaningful strategy for supporting and developing it within a changing criminal justice system. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.’
He said: ‘Although evidence does not indicate a universal problem, there is sufficient evidence of low morale within the magistracy to cause concern.’
The report recommended steps be taken to increase diversity, including wider advertising and consideration of the introduction of equal merit provisions for recruitment.
It suggested a kitemark scheme that recognises and rewards employers who support the magistracy would help to rebalance the age profile.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘We welcome this report and will consider its recommendations carefully.’
Magistrates should be permitted to sentence convicted defendants for up to 12 months in prison for a single offence, a committee of MPs has recommended.
The Justice Committee’s report, The Role of the Magistracy, also called for a clearer strategy to tackle the ‘low morale’ on the bench and ‘serious’ recruitment issues.
The number of magistrates has almost halved in the last decade, from 30,000 in 2006 to 17,500 now. Of those, 86% are aged 50 or over and 89% are white.
Committee chairman, Bob Neill said: ‘It is unfortunate that the government’s evident goodwill towards the magistracy has not yet been translated into any meaningful strategy for supporting and developing it within a changing criminal justice system. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.’
He said: ‘Although evidence does not indicate a universal problem, there is sufficient evidence of low morale within the magistracy to cause concern.’
The report recommended steps be taken to increase diversity, including wider advertising and consideration of the introduction of equal merit provisions for recruitment.
It suggested a kitemark scheme that recognises and rewards employers who support the magistracy would help to rebalance the age profile.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘We welcome this report and will consider its recommendations carefully.’
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
A comparison – Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, invites two viewpoints
And if not, why not? asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier
