“Lay Magistrates in England and Wales”
Lay Participation, Juries and Other Forms of Law Participation, Criminal justice,
In England and Wales, numerous tribunals and courts have lay participation. The most prominent is certainly the jury. However, the greatest influence is arguably exerted by the Lay Magistrates who have some civil law responsibilities, but most importantly, all criminal cases pass through their courts. Today, developments such as the increasing use of professional judges in the Magistrates’ Courts to shift cases quickly, the proliferation of diversionary measures away from court trials and the closing down of many local, outlier court venues have left Magistrates concerned. Our presentation will focus not only on the environment in which the lay judges operate, but will also ask for the experiences that citizens have who appear at the Magistrates’ Courts.
In England and Wales, numerous tribunals and courts have lay participation. The most prominent is certainly the jury. However, the greatest influence is arguably exerted by the Lay Magistrates. They have some civil law responsibilities, but most importantly, all criminal cases pass through their courts. Today, developments such as the increasing use of professional judges in the Magistrates' Courts to shift cases quickly, the proliferation of diversionary measures away from court trials and the closing of many local, outlier court venues have left Magistrates concerned.