Hunt on for 4,000 new magistrates ‘from every part of society’ in huge recruitment drive to beat case backlog in courts… and they will specifically target younger recruits
- Thousands of new magistrates are being sought in a major recruitment drive
- Justice Secretary Dominic Raab aims to recruit 4,000 new people as lay judges
- It is part of a £1million campaign to tackle a huge backlog in cases due to Covid
Thousands of new magistrates are being sought in what ministers described as the largest recruitment drive in the 650-year history of the magistracy.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said the programme would help tackle a backlog of more than 300,000 cases built up during the pandemic.
He today launches a £1million campaign to recruit around 4,000 people from all walks of life as lay judges.
Thousands of new magistrates are being sought in what ministers described as the largest recruitment drive in the 650-year history of the magistracy. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured yesterday) said the programme would help tackle a backlog of more than 300,000 cases built up during the pandemic
Mr Raab said: ‘Magistrates are the unsung heroes of the justice system and we want people from every part of society represented in their ranks.
‘This recruitment drive will ensure magistrates can play an even greater role in restoring the swift justice the public deserve.
‘If you care about your community and want to give back then I would strongly encourage you to apply to become a magistrate.
‘There are few other opportunities that can make such a difference in people’s lives.’
A Ministry of Justice spokesman added: ‘It represents the largest recruitment effort in the 650-year history of the magistracy and could increase the workforce by up to a third in the coming years.’
The campaign will target younger people to reduce the average age of the magistracy in England and Wales.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘[The campaign] represents the largest recruitment effort in the 650-year history of the magistracy and could increase the workforce by up to a third in the coming years’ (Westminster Magistrates Court on Marylebone Road)
Anyone over 18 can sign up and volunteers will have to dedicate a minimum of 13 days a year.
Last week Mr Raab announced plans to double the maximum jail sentence that can be imposed by magistrates to 12 months.
This is expected to reduce the number of cases referred to the Crown Court.
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