RIP local justice? Let’s hope not!
Join us in Birmingham on 25 November to discuss this timely question.
- Wider justice system
Delay in the consultation on the abolition of local justice areas
Magistrates' Association welcomes this delay if it is used wisely.
- Wider justice system
The challenges of open justice
Subject matter experts discussed open justice at this year’s annual conference.
- Wider justice system
How we help improve public understanding of the justice system
What we've done recently to educate the public about the magistracy and wider justice system.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
Magistrates’ Association speaks up for members: May 2023
A round-up of our recent policy and advocacy work.
- Knife and weapon crime
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Youth court matters
Speaker biographies
Considering the way forward for the youth court
Janet Lallysmith, our Training, Learning and Development Officer, reflects on the youth court breakout session at our 2023 conference.
- Youth court matters
Out of court disposals need reform, says Magistrates’ Association report
New MA report reveals that the use of OOCDs has expanded haphazardly and without appropriate oversight and scrutiny.
- Wider justice system
Four decades on the bench
To mark Black History Month, Des Smith, one of our retired members, takes stock of his four-decade-long contribution to administering justice in his community.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
Six ways to get started with local level advocacy
Our volunteers are integral to our success in shaping the policy agenda and affecting change on the issues that matter most to our members. So, we've compiled some tips and a case study from our Dorset branch to inspire our branches that are keen to commence or expand their local advocacy work.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Volunteer only
Our board of trustees
Elected by MA members, our board of trustees is responsible for the governance of the organisation.
Single Justice Procedure needs reform, say magistrates
- Adult court matters
- Wider justice system
Single Justice Procedure needs reform, say Magistrates
- Adult court matters
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
Supporting offenders with learning disabilities and autism
Vicky Sandy-Davis, Lead Nurse Independent Health and Social Care (West Midlands region) at the Royal College of Nursing, discusses a new app that helps people working in the criminal justice system support offenders with learning disabilities and autism.
- Diversity, disparity and inclusion
Magistrates’ Association calls for open justice strategy
In its submission to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, the Magistrates' Association calls for HMCTS to publish a strategy for ensuring open justice, so that it maintains an equal importance to court efficiency.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Wider justice system
Redesigning justice for women and their children: the answers lie in the community
Edwina Grosvenor, Founder of One Small Thing, discusses Hope Street in Hampshire, a community alternative to prison for women and their children.
- Adult court matters
House of Commons Justice Select Committee inquiry on open justice
We identify the beginnings of good practice on open justice including the move towards transparency in the family court. We advocate for the criminal courts to be more open, to both the public and the media.
- Adult court matters
- Family court matters
Magistrates’ Association council meets to discuss growth plans and open justice
At the beginning of May, the MA's council met in London to review our plans to improve the member offer and grow membership over the next few years. It also discussed the theme of this year's annual conference: open justice and transparency in magistrates' courts.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate
- Volunteer only
- Wider justice system
Volunteers’ Week: balancing volunteering with a career
In conversation with magistrates who are balancing paid employment and volunteering.
- Practicalities of being a magistrate