Thousands of new magistrates wanted to help clear backlog

As part of the government's attempts to deal with the crown court backlog, the government has launched a recruitment drive for thousands of new magistrates to volunteer in England and Wales. More than 2,000 magistrates have been trained since 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and the new call aims to increase the number by another 2,000 in the next fiscal year. Magistrates played a critical role in the court system, according to Justice Secretary David Lammy, and "we need more people of every age and background to volunteer. Lammy proposed radical changes to the criminal justice system in December, including the removal of jurors from a number of trials in England and Wales to speed up the justice process.

According to the MoJ, more than 79,600 criminal cases were caught in England and Wales' court backlog, a record high since early 2023, with a target of 100,000 by 2028. The delays mean that for several serious offences in 2026, victims and perpetrators could be left waiting years for justice because they are unlikely to see the trial commence before 2030. Lammy praised magistrates as everyday heroes who hear thousands of cases from every region.

Volunteering to become a magistrate can make a big difference to your life and the lives of others, which is why I'm encouraging the public to register and participate. The Magistrates' Union characterized the campaign as a

big vote of confidence

in magistrates, but the Magistrators' Union said there are now more funds for the courts, including qualified legal consultants and repairs for decaying courthouses. Although the recruitment drive was welcomed, shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan said that the move

cannot paper over the failures of a justice minister and Labour government that have consistently failed to provide meaningful reform. All magistrates are expected to serve at least 13 days a year to hear cases. Magistrates are sought in court, youth, and family courts, and they need specialist legal counsel to help them cope with a variety of situations. According to the MoJ, 57% of magistrates are female and 14% come from an ethnic minority background, with London having the largest proportion of 31%.