Government report on the future role of Magistrates published

On Monday, the House of Commons Justice Committee published their report on the role of Magistracy, which focussed on:
– The role of the magistracy within the criminal justice system;
– The method and rate of recruitment for magistrates;
– Training and development available;
– The effect of court closures on their work;
– Whether the role of magistrates should be expanded.

The report concluded that the magistracy faces a range of unresolved issues relating to its role and its workload, together with serious problems with recruitment and training, which should now be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The Justice Committee recommended that the Ministry of Justice, together with the senior judiciary, develop an over-arching strategy for the magistracy, to include workforce planning, magistrates’ training and the wider promotion of their role, especially to employers. The strategy should also take into account the impact of court closures and consider whether the role of magistrates could be expanded, in particular within any proposals for problem solving courts.

Read the full report here.