*/
Magistrates should be permitted to sentence convicted defendants for up to 12 months in prison for a single offence, a committee of MPs has recommended.
The Justice Committee’s report, The Role of the Magistracy, also called for a clearer strategy to tackle the ‘low morale’ on the bench and ‘serious’ recruitment issues.
The number of magistrates has almost halved in the last decade, from 30,000 in 2006 to 17,500 now. Of those, 86% are aged 50 or over and 89% are white.
Committee chairman, Bob Neill said: ‘It is unfortunate that the government’s evident goodwill towards the magistracy has not yet been translated into any meaningful strategy for supporting and developing it within a changing criminal justice system. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.’
He said: ‘Although evidence does not indicate a universal problem, there is sufficient evidence of low morale within the magistracy to cause concern.’
The report recommended steps be taken to increase diversity, including wider advertising and consideration of the introduction of equal merit provisions for recruitment.
It suggested a kitemark scheme that recognises and rewards employers who support the magistracy would help to rebalance the age profile.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘We welcome this report and will consider its recommendations carefully.’
Magistrates should be permitted to sentence convicted defendants for up to 12 months in prison for a single offence, a committee of MPs has recommended.
The Justice Committee’s report, The Role of the Magistracy, also called for a clearer strategy to tackle the ‘low morale’ on the bench and ‘serious’ recruitment issues.
The number of magistrates has almost halved in the last decade, from 30,000 in 2006 to 17,500 now. Of those, 86% are aged 50 or over and 89% are white.
Committee chairman, Bob Neill said: ‘It is unfortunate that the government’s evident goodwill towards the magistracy has not yet been translated into any meaningful strategy for supporting and developing it within a changing criminal justice system. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.’
He said: ‘Although evidence does not indicate a universal problem, there is sufficient evidence of low morale within the magistracy to cause concern.’
The report recommended steps be taken to increase diversity, including wider advertising and consideration of the introduction of equal merit provisions for recruitment.
It suggested a kitemark scheme that recognises and rewards employers who support the magistracy would help to rebalance the age profile.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘We welcome this report and will consider its recommendations carefully.’
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
