How Magistrates are Trained

Judicial Studies Board has overall responsibility for training, which operates through regional Courts Board areas. The Justices' Clerk (legal adviser) is responsible for the delivery, and a local Magistrates' Area Training Committee sets the training priorities and agrees a training plan each year. The Magistrates' Association is consulted on training.

Each year the Judicial Studies Board and the Court Service produce a document setting out the minimum training provision for magistrates, as well as any desirable additional training.

Compulsory training programme for newly appointed magistrates is designed to prepare them for sitting in court, and is usually delivered by the justices' clerk. Training includes a basic introduction to the role and responsibilities of a magistrate, and includes preliminary reading and three days of training, at least three court observations…