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What qualifications/skills do I need to be a Lay Magistrate (Justice of the Peace)?
If you want to be a Lay Magistrate it is simpler than you think - no specific qualifications are needed. All you need are to be;
A good communicator
Reliable
Socially aware and mature
Be committed to transparent procedures (otherwise known as the Nolan Principles of standards in public life)
Not have a criminal record (parking fines are OK!)
Have an open mind
Be willing to consider (and sometimes accept) others’ viewpoints even when they are entirely different from your own
Aged under 64 years
What commitment is required?
A minimum of 13 days per year
The role is voluntary, but expenses are paid, including loss of earnings as a result of duties
How do I apply?
Request the application form from the North East Advisory Committee on 01708 743515
Complete the application form with details of referees*
After a few months you will be contacted with one of three decisions :
An invitation to a meeting which includes a simple test (the test has no right or wrong answers, it just requires you to justify your point of view and/or possibly reconsider your views in light of an opposing argument)
Declined because your profile does not match what the bench is looking for
Details on file until they need someone from your background to balance the make up of the bench
If your application is successful, you will be given a training log and, in most cases, a mentorI would like to speak to someone about this before I make a decision
It always helps to talk things through before making a decision. If you would like an informal discussion about what the role might mean to you, please contact Thames Magistrate Court on 020 8271 1203 or email
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According to a paper released by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) (2008), there are currently a variety of Public positions that, if held are granted time off of work. This does not cover the full range of public duties, but as the report states, actions are being taken to try and expand the range of positions that will be given time off to perform public duties.
If you are interested in taking part in Public Life but don't know where to start, then we've got something for you! The Public Appointment website www.publicappts-vacs.gov.uk has details and information on a huge variety of jobs around the country, so whether you want to become a trustee of an historic palace, on the board of a university or a lay member of a nursery and midwifery council, all of these and more can be found on www.publicappts-vacs.gov.uk.
If you are interested in taking part in Public Life but don't know where to start, then we've got something for you! The Public Appointment website 
