1A: Lay People Flashcards
(3 cards)
What are Lay Magistrates?
Lay Magistrates (Justices of the Peace) are unqualified lay people who voluntarily deal with summary and triable-either-way cases.
What are the requirements for a Lay Magistrate?
There are no formal requirements but there are some basic conditions to be met. These include: age limits of 18-74 years old (retire at 75), live in the local area, although strict requirements to live within 15 miles of the court was abolished by the Courts Act 2003 and applicants must be available to sit a minimum of 26 half days a year.
What are the limitations for applying?
An applicant would not be able to become a Magistrate if they have any serious criminal convictions or are declared bankrupt. They also need to ensure their work is not incompatible with being a magistrate (police officers and members of the armed forces. They also cannot apply to the same court bench as a close family member.
