ST GEORGE'S LADIES GROUP

Two lady magistrates, or Justices of the Peace, as they are also known, visited us to talk about their work. It was over 600 years ago, in 1361 to be exact, that magistrates were first used in this country. Anyone as young as their late twenties is eligible to be a magistrate. They can either nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. Once accepted, they can remain as magistrates until they reach the age of 70. There are no less than 30,000 magistrates in England and Wales. Nearly half of this number are women. No specific qualifications are required for the position and no remuneration (other than expenses) is given.

Once an application for the position has been received, an interview is arranged to ascertain the suitability or otherwise of the candidate for the position. Magistrates must reflect the local community in terms of age and ethnic grouping. No one group may be over represented. On acceptance, he or she will be assigned to sit in a magistrates court, normally with two other magistrates. Should there be a conflict of views regarding a sentence, the majority vote applies. As ordinary citizens do not have an expert knowledge of the law, each court has a legal advisor to advise the magistrates when necessary on any legal aspects. Magistrates deal with no less than 97% of all criminal cases that go to court. The maximum penalty that a magistrates court can impose is six months imprisonment. They can also fix the amount of any fine, and decide when necessary the hours of community work that a convicted person may be required to do. More serious cases have to be referred up to a higher court. Magistrates can, if they wish, receive special training to enable them to sit in youth or family courts.

Both of the ladies mentioned the long hours they put into their job but stressed how rewarding it was.

MARGARET DEAL