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Magistrates' courts need 'younger, more diverse recruits' | Magistrates' courts need 'younger, more diverse recruits' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Too many magistrates in England and Wales are "old and white", one of the youngest justices in the country says. | Too many magistrates in England and Wales are "old and white", one of the youngest justices in the country says. |
Alex Yip is working to get younger people and ethnic minorities to become magistrates and wants firms encouraged to give staff time off to volunteer. | Alex Yip is working to get younger people and ethnic minorities to become magistrates and wants firms encouraged to give staff time off to volunteer. |
"I work with a lot of very talented people but they are old and white," the 34-year-old said. | "I work with a lot of very talented people but they are old and white," the 34-year-old said. |
MPs are calling for urgent action over figures that show 86% of magistrates are aged 50 or over and 89% are white. | MPs are calling for urgent action over figures that show 86% of magistrates are aged 50 or over and 89% are white. |
A report by the Commons justice committee said there were "serious" problems with diversity at a time when the numbers volunteering were falling. | A report by the Commons justice committee said there were "serious" problems with diversity at a time when the numbers volunteering were falling. |
Mr Yip became a magistrate in November 2009 and is now working with the Magistrates' Association to try to bring more young people into the role. | Mr Yip became a magistrate in November 2009 and is now working with the Magistrates' Association to try to bring more young people into the role. |
Time commitment | Time commitment |
He said: "It has always been surprising for people when they find out I am a magistrate." | He said: "It has always been surprising for people when they find out I am a magistrate." |
Comparing himself with his colleagues, he added: "I look like I have just come out of university." | Comparing himself with his colleagues, he added: "I look like I have just come out of university." |
Mr Yip, who is also a councillor in Birmingham, thinks the time commitment is a big turn-off for younger people. | Mr Yip, who is also a councillor in Birmingham, thinks the time commitment is a big turn-off for younger people. |
He said: "Young people are focusing on work, building their careers, starting families and trying to pay off their mortgages. | He said: "Young people are focusing on work, building their careers, starting families and trying to pay off their mortgages. |
"I am fortunate being self-employed that I have more choice in what I can do with my time, but a lot of people feel they have to focus on what is urgent in their lives. | "I am fortunate being self-employed that I have more choice in what I can do with my time, but a lot of people feel they have to focus on what is urgent in their lives. |
"They have to put food on the table." | "They have to put food on the table." |
'Good for companies' | 'Good for companies' |
He thinks appealing to employers is a key way of recruiting more people from all backgrounds. | He thinks appealing to employers is a key way of recruiting more people from all backgrounds. |
"You do have to commit a lot of time [13 days a year plus training] but a lot of people don't realise that employers are obligated to give you that time," he added. | "You do have to commit a lot of time [13 days a year plus training] but a lot of people don't realise that employers are obligated to give you that time," he added. |
"I think we need to raise awareness and point out that having an employee that is a magistrate is good for their company." | "I think we need to raise awareness and point out that having an employee that is a magistrate is good for their company." |
How do you become a magistrate? | How do you become a magistrate? |
Magistrates are volunteers and pass the most serious of crimes to crown court level, but continue to deal with more minor crimes, including minor assaults, motoring offences and theft. | Magistrates are volunteers and pass the most serious of crimes to crown court level, but continue to deal with more minor crimes, including minor assaults, motoring offences and theft. |
To become a magistrate, you have to: | To become a magistrate, you have to: |
There were around 30,000 magistrates in England and Wales in 2006, but this total has since fallen to 17,552. | There were around 30,000 magistrates in England and Wales in 2006, but this total has since fallen to 17,552. |
It is believed this is partly due to the number of older magistrates retiring - they must retire at 70 - but the MPs' report also said there was disillusionment with the system, which led to people stepping down from the bench sooner. | It is believed this is partly due to the number of older magistrates retiring - they must retire at 70 - but the MPs' report also said there was disillusionment with the system, which led to people stepping down from the bench sooner. |
Statistics from the committee for 2016 show that there is a close split in the gender of magistrates - 53% are women - but diversity is still lacking when it comes to age, race and disabilities. Only 4% of magistrates identify themselves as disabled. | Statistics from the committee for 2016 show that there is a close split in the gender of magistrates - 53% are women - but diversity is still lacking when it comes to age, race and disabilities. Only 4% of magistrates identify themselves as disabled. |
Sentencing powers | |
The Commons justice committee called on the government to make its recommendations on diversity and recruitment a reality. | The Commons justice committee called on the government to make its recommendations on diversity and recruitment a reality. |
The report also supported an increase for magistrates' sentencing powers from six months to 12 months' custody for a single offence and called on the Ministry of Justice to ensure that at least 90% of court users can reach the nearest magistrates' venue by public transport within one hour. | The report also supported an increase for magistrates' sentencing powers from six months to 12 months' custody for a single offence and called on the Ministry of Justice to ensure that at least 90% of court users can reach the nearest magistrates' venue by public transport within one hour. |
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We welcome this report and will consider its recommendations carefully." | A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We welcome this report and will consider its recommendations carefully." |
Magistrates in numbers | |
Source: Commons Justice Committee 2016 |