UK aims to recruit 2,000 new magistrates in 2026
The Government is asking thousands of people across England and Wales to step forward as volunteer magistrates in 2026. The Ministry of Justice says more than 2,000 extra magistrates have been trained since 2022, and the new push aims to add a similar number again in the next financial year. This forms part of its Plan for Change to speed up cases and support victims.
If you become a magistrate, you’ll sit in a small panel-usually three lay people from the community-supported by a legal adviser who handles the law and procedure. You don’t need a law degree. You’ll hear criminal cases, and some magistrates also choose to sit in the family court where decisions focus on children’s welfare.
The time commitment is designed to fit around work and study. Expect at least 13 full days a year in court-or 26 half‑days-with your rota shared well in advance. If you sit in both criminal and family courts, plan for at least 30 half‑days and a minimum spread across each court type.
Your employer has legal duties here. By law, they must allow reasonable time off to carry out magistrate duties, though paying you for that time is their choice. If they don’t pay, you can claim set allowances for loss of earnings, travel and meals. The rule sits in Section 50 of the Employment Rights Act, and government guidance for employers spells out the details.
Who can apply? You need to be aged 18 to 74, with retirement at 75. What matters most are qualities like fairness, clear communication and the ability to weigh up different sides. There are restrictions for roles that could create conflicts of interest, and serious or repeated offences will normally rule people out.
You’ll get structured training and a mentor in your first year, with ongoing learning after that. In court, specialist legal advisers are on hand so you can focus on listening carefully, judging credibility and deciding outcomes as a team. This is a civic role where skill grows with practice and support.
The magistracy should reflect the communities it serves. According to the Ministry of Justice, 57% of magistrates are women and 14% are from ethnic minority backgrounds, with London at 31%. Ministers also cite new research showing 45% of adults in England and Wales would consider volunteering in the next year-an opportunity to widen representation.
Why now? Magistrates’ courts handle the vast majority of criminal cases and are central to clearing delays. The 2026 campaign sits alongside wider justice reforms the Government argues will deliver swifter outcomes. News reporting and the MoJ both point to recruiting more volunteers as one way to ease pressure.
Ready to explore it? Before you apply, you’re asked to visit a criminal court at least twice to see the work first‑hand. Applications are online and focus on real examples of how you communicate, stay open‑minded and make fair decisions. If successful, you’ll be interviewed and, later, paired with a mentor as training begins.
One last thing to keep in mind: this is a serious public role with real impact-on victims, on defendants and on your neighbours. If you can give 13 days a year and you’re keen to serve, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy is urging people of all ages and backgrounds to apply. It’s a practical way to strengthen local justice while building skills you’ll use in everyday life.