How are newly appointed lay magistrates trained?

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How are newly appointed lay magistrates trained?

All magistrates are carefully trained before sitting and continue to receive training throughout their service. Mentoring, on-the-job training, observations in court and visits to other institutions also form part of the training programme.

What training are magistrates given?

Magistrates do not need any specific legal training, nor do they sit exams. A magistrate undergoes mandatory training of about 3 and a half days before sitting in court, and will be allocated a mentor for their first year.

What are the three components all magistrates must be able to demonstrate?

1. Managing yourself 2. Working as a member of the team 3. Making judicial decisions.

Do magistrates get paid?

Magistrates are not paid for their services. However, many employers allow time off with pay for magistrates. If you do suffer loss of earnings you may claim a loss allowance at a set rate. You can also claim allowances for travel and subsistence.

What is the main focus of training for magistrates?

Magistrates’ training is based on competences; a checklist of knowledge and observable behaviour that magistrates will need to demonstrate in order to successfully fulfil the role.

How should I prepare for a magistrate interview?

SIX KEY QUALITIES

  1. Good Character. Your personal integrity.
  2. Understanding and Communication. Ability to understand documents (as a magistrate you will have to work with documents such as the sentencing guidelines.
  3. Social Awareness.
  4. Maturity and Sound Temperament.
  5. Sound Judgement.
  6. Commitment and Reliability.

What are the advantages of magistrates?

Using ordinary people as magistrates has many advantages:

  • A wider range of people deal with cases, this would not be possible if magistrates had to be qualified.
  • Magistrates often have local knowledge of the area they are working in.
  • There are very few appeals about decisions made by magistrates.
  • It saves money.

What skills do you need to be a magistrate?

You also need to be able to: understand documents, follow evidence and communicate effectively. think logically, weigh up arguments and reach a fair decision….Personal qualities

  • aware of social issues.
  • mature, understand people and have a sense of fairness.
  • reliable and committed to serving the community.

What are the disadvantages of magistrates?

Disadvantages

  • Prosecution Biased- As untrained , they may side with the police.
  • Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days a year.
  • Case Hardened-May judge defendants on a case before.
  • Unrepresentative of society- Only people with free time.

What are the six key qualities of magistrates?

Confidence of the Community 19.2 The six key qualities sought in those applying to become magistrates are, good character, understanding and communication, social awareness, maturity and sound temperament, sound judgment and commitment and reliability (see section 6).

What motivated you to become a magistrate?

The primary motivation to become a magistrate is to play a decision-making role in the legal system. People who posses leadership qualities and enjoy a challenge are the most successful in this role.

What are the different types of training for magistrates?

1 Initial introductory training: 2 Mentoring: A new magistrate will be assigned a specially trained magistrate mentor. 3 Initial core training: All magistrates must attend an induction course to give them the required knowledge to sit in court.

How do I become a magistrate?

Initial core training: All magistrates must attend an induction course to give them the required knowledge to sit in court. In the first year, there will also be visits to penal institutions and court observations to supplement this. 4.

What is the new magistrate mentoring program?

Mentoring: A new magistrate will be assigned a specially trained magistrate mentor. There are 6 formal mentored sittings in the first 12 months where the new magistrate’s progress and training needs are reviewed. 3.

What does a magistrate do?

Magistrates are crucial members of the justice system. They deal with an array of cases, ranging from criminal trials to civil disputes. There are roughly 21,000 magistrates sitting as part-time judges in the Magistrates’ Courts across England. They are also known as Justices of the Peace.