Les Johnson JP, Chairman of South Cumbria Magistrates, urges more people to help administer justice

JUSTICE by one’s peers is one of the most precious concepts and cornerstones of any civilised society - as fundamental as the presumption of innocence, on which our legal system is based.

Our magistrates’ courts are at the very heart of that system.

Lord Justice Bingham once described the magistracy as a “democratic jewel beyond price”. While trial by jury dates back to the 12th century, magistrates have been around for more than 650 years, since the reign of Richard I.

The days of the local “beak” being a high and mighty, and remote, member of the landed gentry are long since gone. We magistrates (also known as “Justices of the Peace”, or “JPs” for short) are embedded in our communities. We live and work in the areas we serve on the Bench, representing a wide and diverse range of backgrounds.

Here on the South Cumbria Bench there are magistrates from all walks of life: from shipyard workers to teachers, from council staff to house-husbands, all bringing their valuable life experiences to the role of being a magistrate.

And the days of being a JP being the sole preserve of elderly men are thankfully long gone. Today, the majority of magistrates across Britain are women, while anyone aged over 18 can apply to become a magistrate – and we would love to see more young people being recruited to our ranks.

Magistrates must retire at 70 and be able to give at least five years’ service on appointment.

I’m sure my colleagues on the Bench will agree that, as a magistrate, you never know what a day in court might bring; but one thing is for sure – no two days are ever the same.

That’s hardly surprising, when one considers that more than 90 per cent of all criminal cases are heard in a magistrates’ court. From petty theft to murder, from TV licence to sexual offences, we see it all from the Bench above which the heraldic coat of arms bears the legend Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense - roughly translated as “evil be to he who evil thinks”.

A common misconception about magistrates is that they must be legally qualified. That is absolutely not the case; indeed, no magistrate is expected be an expert in the law – that is what our legal advisers, who are all qualified lawyers and highly-trained, are there for.

Being a magistrate is more about common sense, an understanding of the community, and being fair and balanced. New recruits to the Bench receive plenty of training and guidance. Each has his or her own mentor to guide them through their first few months as a magistrate.

Magistrates sit in court for a minimum of 13 days a year; it might not be a paid judicial role, but it’s one of the most rewarding things one can do for your community. From adult criminal cases, to the youth and family courts, the work is always varied and interesting.

I hope my fellow magistrates won’t be offended when I say that there’s nothing very extraordinary about us. Magistrates are nothing more and nothing less than ordinary members of the public, committed to ensuring that the people who appear in our courts are treated with fairness and justice. As our Judicial Oath says, we “do right to all manner of people, without fear, favour or ill-will”.

Being a magistrate is a privilege – but it is by no means only for the privileged. I hope to welcome more of you to the Bench very soon.

Further details and an application form are available from www.gov.uk/become-magistrate