Huge recruitment drive to unclog courts as Brits urged to step forward

Huge recruitment drive to unclog courts as Brits urged to step forward The government is seeking to bring the number of magistrates in England and Wales up to 21,000 after the figure fell to 12,500 under the Tories - with a huge court backlog to deal with A bid to unclog Britain's huge court backlog will see thousands of magistrates recruited. Members of the public have been urged to put themselves forward to grow the number to 21,000 by 2029 - up from just 12,500 in 2022. Magistrates hear around 95% of all criminal cases - meaning they have a huge role in securing swifter justice. Since the general election, 3,000 more magistrates have been recruited, the Ministry of Justice said. Latest figures show the backlog stood at an enormous 370,222 cases at the end of March - a rise of 11% in a year. Writing for The Mirror, courts minister Sarah Sackman said: "We want to build a 21,000-strong magistracy in 2028/29, and we won't get there by recruiting people who already picture themselves in the role. We'll get there by reaching the people who never thought it was a role for them. "You have the opportunity to join that growing army of remarkable volunteers. To stand up, make a difference, and to improve people’s lives." A £4million recruitment drive has been launched today to bring more people into the fold. Justice Secretary Alex Norris said: "Magistrates embody the very best of public service. "They give their time, experience and judgement to make vital decisions that help ensure justice is delivered fairly in communities across the country. I’m calling on the public to play their part - we need more people from all walks of life to step forward and become their local magistrate.” The MOJ said polling showed 50% of the UK population believes they have the skills and qualities needed to be a magistrate. At the moment 57% of magistrates are women and 14% are from ethnic minority backgrounds. Volunteers are required to sit for a minimum of 13 days a year. The government has launched a new national taskforce to work with local recruitment committees across England and Wales. Next month Mr Norris is expected to set out plans to reform the court system and tackle a backlog that means victims are waiting for years for cases to be heard. Under Keir Starmer, controversial changes were announced to reduce the number of cases heard by juries. Former Justice Secretary David Lammy argued the move was necessary to ensure cases were dealt with quickly, but the plans sparked an outcry. In the year to June 2025, just 3% of criminal cases were heard by a jury. It is expected that the government will water down the controverisal proposals. Could you be a magistrate? By Sarah Sackman MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services What do you see when you picture a magistrate? Someone looking stern in a robe and a wig? A retiree with plenty of time on their hands? Someone with a law degree and a string of letters after their name? The truth is much more ordinary. If you want to know what a magistrate looks like, you just need to look in a mirror. Magistrates look like you and me and come from every walk of life. You might have passed one in the street this morning. They might have made your coffee, delivered your post, or driven your train. They are teachers and shop assistants, pensioners, accountants and stay-at-home parents and artists. Ordinary people who give up their time to do something extraordinary: deliver justice on behalf of their communities. What matters isn’t your CV. It’s your character. Magistrates aren’t chosen because of their job title or qualifications, but because they have the judgement, fairness and common sense to make life-changing decisions. They deal with nearly nine in ten criminal cases in this country, deciding who gets bail, whether a first-time offender deserves a second chance, and how justice is served in their community. It’s a serious responsibility, but you don’t need to know everything from day one. If you have the right values, a willingness to learn, and are willing to volunteer for at least 13 days a year, you’ll get all the training and support you need. This is about putting the community into every court. We need magistrates who are part of their community. People who understand the challenges others face, and who may not have ever pictured themselves as someone with the power to hand down justice, but who understand what a privilege it is. To paraphrase, ask not what can your community can do for you but what you can do for your community. Everyone has something to offer. If you've ever settled a disagreement at work, been the person who friends turn to when there’s an argument, or even just been the one who stays calm when everyone else panics, you may already have the makings of a magistrate. The Government is investing in the biggest recruitment drive in a generation. We offer quality training, helping magistrates develop new skills, support you in court and recognise your fantastic contribution. We want to build a 21,000-strong magistracy in 2028/29, and we won't get there by recruiting people who already picture themselves in the role. We'll get there by reaching the people who never thought it was a role for them. You have the opportunity to join that growing army of remarkable volunteers. To stand up, make a difference, and to improve people’s lives. Becoming a magistrate puts real power in the hands of communities. It makes sure that local justice is delivered by local people, who understand the impact crime has on their area, as well as the victims and person standing in front of them – and who will still live and work alongside the people affected once a case ends. So if you think this could be you, don’t let outdated ideas of what a magistrate should look like put you off. You don’t need to be at the end of a long and impressive career. You certainly don’t need a robe and wig. All you need is good judgement, an open mind, and the willingness to make a difference. If that’s you, then apply today.