Magistrates' Association

The Magistrates' Association is the membership organisation for magistrates in England and Wales. By virtue of its education and training functions it is a charitable organisation and is funded by its members to promote the magistracy.

Magistrates' Association
Founded1921 (1921)
TypeCharitable organization
Registration no.England and Wales: 216066
FocusCriminal Justice
Location
Coordinates51.486°N 0.126°W / 51.486; -0.126
Area served
England and Wales
Members
c. 28,000
Key people
Tom Franklin (chief executive)
WebsiteMagistrates' Association

History

The idea of forming an association of magistrates came from a Derby magistrate, Alderman Wilkins, in 1920. The inaugural meeting of the association was held at Central Hall, Westminster, on 28 October 1921. Lord Haldane was elected the association's first president. Thereafter the Lord Chancellor of the day was president, but when the role of the Lord Chancellor changed with the passing of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 the Lord Chief Justice took on the role.

By 1945, membership had grown to 5,288 members, and it had 16,354 at its fiftieth Anniversary in 1970. Today, it represents over 80% of active magistrates.[1][2]

It received a royal charter in October 1962.

Objectives

The association was established to:

"promote the sound administration of the law by educating and instructing magistrates and others in the law, the administration of justice, the treatment of offenders and the best methods of preventing crime; and promoting discussion on developments in the law and the administration of justice."[3]

Since 1969, it has helped to develop various sentencing guidelines. It also organises conferences and publishes a magazine, Magistrate. Members also participate in local branch activities.

The governing body is the Board of Trustees. A Council advises the Board. Various standing committees are populated by association members and focus on specific areas of magistrates' activities.

The current chair is Mark Beattie JP.

Publications

The association publishes a magazine, Magistrate (formerly The Magistrate), several times each year. It has also issued a number of reports which are available from its website.[3] A book The Magistracy at the Crossroads was published by Waterside Press in 2012.[4]

Arms
Coat of arms of Magistrates' Association
Notes
Granted 30 May 1963[5]
Crest
On a wreath Ermine and Gules issuant from clouds Proper and in front of a sun rising Or a sword point upwards Proper suspended from the reverse of the blade a pair of scales Gold.
Escutcheon
Ermine on a pale Gules a mace Or.
Motto
Ratione Et Consilio

References
  1. "History of the Magistrates' Association". Magistrates Association. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013.
  2. "Magistrates' Association". Judicial Press Office.
  3. "Home". Magistrates Association.
  4. Faulkner, David (2012). The Magistracy at the Crossroads. Hook, Hampshire: Waterside Press. ISBN 978-1-90438-086-3.
  5. "Magistrates' Association". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
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