Learn about magistrates
Magistrates make many of the legal decisions in England and Wales.
We exist to help the magistracy be its best for all of society
We're the only membership body and independent voice for magistrates. We promote the sound administration of the law, campaign on policy and practice relating to the magistracy, provide support and development guidance to magistrates, and inform the public about the magistracy and the justice system
10 October 2025
Practicalities of being a magistrate
My 25-year voluntary career
To mark Black History Month UK, we've republished Abiola Onatade's blog on her experiences volunteering as a magistrate for over two decades. This blog was originally published in 2023 and has been amended to bring it up-to-date.
29 September 2025
Adult court matters Family court matters Youth court matters
Latest updates for magistrates: September 2025
From the new Sentencing Bill to improving family court services, read the latest of our handy monthly looks at the latest updates from across the justice system - just for MA members.
25 September 2025
Wider justice system
MA comments on the growing court backlogs
The Magistrates' Association has responded to today's MoJ criminal court statistics quarterly, which showed increases in crown and magistrate court backlogs.
19 September 2025
Wider justice system
In praise of magistrates
In this blog, Minister of State for Justice Sarah Sackman MP celebrates the work of the magistracy and magistrates' vital role in the criminal justice system. This originally appeared in the Autumn 2025 edition of our magazine.
Where would you like to go?
Here are some pages you might like to visit
Visit MA learn
We provide tools to develop magistrates’ knowledge and skills. Our member-only learning hub, MA learn, contains more than 200 high-quality resources.
Search our publications library
Browse our advocacy reports, briefing notes, consultation responses and position statements published to support our policy work.
Get updates on news and influencing
We advocate on behalf of our members and inform others about the vital role of the magistracy.
Get involved
Attend an event, join a diversity and inclusion network, participate in our community outreach initiative, volunteer for us, recruit a new member or leave us a gift.
Upcoming events
- Online
Nav Mirza
At this webinar, you will meet Nav Mirza, and hear his affecting personal story, as a father using the family courts.
- Online
Family Policy Special Webinar
Join this webinar to hear from members of the MA’s Family Court Committee and policy team about current policy work in the family court, get involved with discussion of future issues, and put your questions to the committee. Please note this event is on Monday 3 November, and not 5 November as we said in an email to members.
- In person
- Lancaster
Conference 2025 – Lancaster
£40.00 - £65.00
Join us at Lancaster University on Saturday 22 November for the Magistrates’ Association’s national conference and AGM. This year’s theme — The voice of victims: is the balance right? — brings together leading voices from across the justice system. Expect keynote speeches, breakout discussions, networking, and more.
Our year in numbers
Between July 2022 and June 2023, we've been busy influencing on behalf of and building opportunities for our members to learn, develop and connect.
1
new learning hub with 200 top-notch resources launched
10
webinars on topics from domestic abuse to community sentencing held
11
consultation responses and two advocacy reports published
3
parliamentary committee appearances completed
5
meetings with ministers held to influence on behalf of our members
6
issues of Magistrate magazine published
316
pieces of digital, print and broadcast media coverage landed
178228
website visitors secured
95823
people reached on LinkedIn
421200
people reached on X (formerly Twitter)
1
new support line manned by experienced magistrates launched
3
workshops for new magistrates held
200
members welcomed at our annual conference and awards ceremony
87%
of our members said they would recommend MA membership to others
87%
of our members said they think MA membership is good value for money
Become a member
As a member, you’ll get access to a wealth of benefits to assist you to be the best magistrate you can be, including:
- A learning hub with over 200 resources
- Monthly webinars on topical issues
- A support line run by fellow magistrates
- Engaging e-newsletters and our magazine
- Events where you can meet colleagues
Latest blogs and news
- Adult court matters
- Family court matters
- Youth court matters
Latest updates for magistrates: September 2025
