Magistrates

Question 1

What qualifications are required to be appointed as a magistrate?

Answer 1

None. However, magistrates are trained by the Magistrates’ Commission Committee under the supervision of the Judicial College.

Question 2

What percentage of criminal cases are heard in the magistrates court?

Answer 2

100%

Question 3

What type of cases do lay magistrates hear?

Answer 3

Less Complex Cases
Summary offences. There are less serious cases, such as motoring offences and minor assaults, where the defendant is not usually entitled to trial by jury. they are generally disposed of in magistrates’ court.

Either-way offences. As the name implies, these can be dealt with either by magistrates or before a judge and jury at the Crown Court. Such offences include theft and handling stolen goods. A defendant can insist on their right to trial in the Crown Court. Magistrates can also decide that a case is so serious that it should be dealt with in the Crown Court- which can impose tougher sentences if the defendant is found guilty.

Indictable-only offences, such as murder, manslaughter, rape and robbery. These must be heard at a Crown Court.