BERKSHIRE Magistrates Association are encouraging working professionals across the borough to sign up and give something back to the community.
More commonly known for their Mock Trials annual competition that runs across UK comprehensive schools, the association is looking to encourage more adults between the ages of 20 and 40 to become a magistrate.
Making up 85% of the judicial community and dealing with over 90% of criminal cases, as well as a range of civil matters, magistrates are ordinary people who volunteer to sit in court.
Paul Wassel, Chair of Berkshire Magistrates Association said: “It’s fairly easy to be a magistrate. You can’t have a criminal record, should be an upstanding citizen and should ideally be under 60, as we have to retire at 70.
“Being a magistrate is about wanting to help the area you live in, and the minimum requirement you must volunteer is 13 days per year.”
“We try to encourage and inform more people about what it is exactly magistrates do. That’s why we run the Mock Trials competition.”
Previously named the Young Magistrates Competiton, pupils challenge other local school children to win a legal case.
Playing all of the roles in the courtroom, pupils are invited to try and win their case at the Crown Court in Reading.
Last year, schools from Berkshire were in the top two nationally, and top three the year before.
“The confidence boost in the pupils is amazing,” said Mr Wassel. “They really grow their teamwork skills, and for those who are interested in a career in law, it really cements that desire for them.”
While the Mock Trials help to spread an understanding of the magistrate’s role among school pupils, the Berkshire-based association is trying to encourage more people of working age to sign up and volunteer.
By increasing the pool of applicants, the association aims to diversify the magistrates across the county.
