The Ministry of Justice has opened a national recruitment campaign to expand the magistracy in England and Wales, seeking around 2,000 additional volunteers in the next financial year. Ministers frame the drive as part of the government’s Plan for Change to deliver swifter justice and increase local court capacity. The announcement was issued on 3 January 2026 and led by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy.
Officials say more than 2,000 extra magistrates have already been trained since 2022, with the new campaign aiming to match that scale again in 2026/27. The government is appealing to applicants from all backgrounds to ensure benches reflect the communities they serve.
Magistrates are unpaid judicial office-holders who typically sit for at least 13 days each year and receive structured training, mentoring in the first year, and continuing development thereafter. In court they are supported by qualified legal advisers who provide guidance on law and procedure.
The Ministry of Justice highlights research indicating that 45 percent of people in England and Wales would consider volunteering in the next 12 months, a pool the campaign intends to convert into applications.
Recent Judicial Diversity Statistics report that 57 percent of serving magistrates are female and 14 percent are from an ethnic minority background. Regional data show London has the highest proportion of magistrates from ethnic minority backgrounds, which the government places at 31 percent.
Applications are open across jurisdictions, including adult criminal work, the youth court, and certain civil and family proceedings. No legal qualifications are required. Selection focuses on five assessed attributes such as open-minded decision-making, clear communication and professionalism.
The process is digital by default. Prospective criminal-court magistrates must observe at least two sittings before applying; family-court applicants research the role because hearings are private. Candidates then complete an online form with two references, undertake a qualifying assessment, attend an interview, and pass pre‑appointment checks including a DBS disclosure. Timelines vary, but the end‑to‑end process can take up to 12 months.
Eligibility is broad: applicants must be aged 18 to 74 on appointment, with a mandatory retirement age of 75 and an expected minimum commitment of five years. Training totals around 10 days over the first two years, followed by annual refreshers.
Employers in England and Wales are legally required to allow ‘reasonable’ time off for magistrate duties under section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Pay for this time is at the employer’s discretion; where pay is not provided, magistrates can claim loss‑of‑earnings and expenses. Government guidance notes the typical rota commitment of 13 days, or 26 half‑days, each year.
Ministers link the recruitment push to a wider programme to reduce court delays, including funding record Crown Court sitting days and signalling further reform after Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review. The campaign’s objective is to increase local bench capacity so more cases can be heard promptly in magistrates’ courts.