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Check if you can be a magistrate

Before you apply, you need to make sure you have a good chance of being accepted. Not everyone can become a magistrate, and you need to check you have the time and commitment for the role.

Read ‘Can you be a magistrate?’ to see if you can apply.

• Can you be a magistrate?

• Video: becoming a magistrate - the qualities you need

Finding a court nearby

You should choose a court near to where you live or work to become a magistrate, and visit it before you apply.

The court can let you know when it’s best to visit and which courtrooms to go and see.

You need to go to the court at least once, and a few times if you can, to see if the role is right for you. If you are invited to an interview, you will be asked to talk about your visits.

The booklet 'Serving as a magistrate' gives you more information on how to apply to be a magistrate. You can download it by following the link below.

• Find a court (Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service) Opens new window

• Download 'Serving as a magistrate' (PDF, 191K)

• Help with PDF files

Recruitment in your area

Applications are dealt with by advisory committees, which are made up of people from the local community, including some magistrates.

Courts across the country recruit at different times, so you need to check if there are opportunities in your area.

See 'Advisory committees and magistrates’ courts in England and Wales' to find the contact details of your local advisory committee. This gives an A-Z list of the committees. You can find the one for your area by searching by the name of your local court.

Open the document, select ‘edit’ from the top menu and ‘find’ from the drop-down list, and then enter the name of the court. For example, enter ‘Milton Keynes’ if Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court is your local court.

• Download 'Advisory Committees and Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales' (PDF, 511K)

• Help with PDF files

Apply to be a magistrate

You can apply by filling out the application form and sending it by email or post to the advisory committee for your area. Applying by email will be quicker. To do this, fill out the Word version of the form, save it to your computer and attach it to the email to the advisory committee.

The ‘application form guidance notes’ give you help on filling out the form.

• Download 'Magistrates application form' (Word, 284K) Opens new window

• Download 'Magistrates application form' (PDF, 903K)

• Download 'Magistrates - application form guidance notes' (PDF, 54K)

• Help with PDF files

Getting more information on applying to be a magistrate

If you have more questions, or need a Braille, audio or large print copy of the application form, please contact David Gamble or Mabel Aire.

You can write to them at:

Magistrates HR Team
Judicial Office
10th Floor, Thomas More Building
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Telephone: 020 7073 4789 or 020 7073 4779

Or you can email them at:

david.gamble@judiciary.gsi.gov.ukmabel.aire@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk

Please do not send completed application forms to the Magistrates HR team - send your application to the advisory committee for the area you're applying for.

What happens after you apply

Once you have sent your form, your local advisory committee will check it and contact the references you’ve given them.

If you’re suitable for the role you’ll be asked to go along for an interview. If you’re successful, you’ll be asked back for a second interview.

Those who do well in the interviews will be put forward for a post. The final appointment is made by the Lord Chancellor. The committee will keep you posted on how you’re doing at each stage of the selection process.

You should bear in mind that this can all take between six months to a year.