The magistracy: secure epitome of the Big Society?

Abstract

In 2011 the magistracy celebrated 650 years of the office, which in key respects appeared to be in unprecedented good health. More socially representative than ever before, with gender parity and 8 per cent of magistrates drawn from the minority ethnic communities (only slightly less than the proportion in the population as a whole) the office is also, according to ministers, the epitome of the Big Society – local, unpaid volunteers serving their communities, which, as the Prime Minister has insisted, represents the Conservative Party's ‘underlying political philosophy’ and his ‘personal mission’ (Cameron, 2011). Magistrates also perform a vital public service, hearing over 90 per cent of the cases coming before our criminal courts. Yet, beneath the surface, virtually unnoticed by political commentators, there is growing disquiet among the ranks of the 26,000 magistrates in England and Wales. Many are considering their position. They feel that the strength and vitality of their office is being sapped by developments that represent the antithesis of the Big Society.

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Rod Morgan

Rod Morgan is Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice, University of Bristol and Visiting Professor at the Universities of Cardiff and Sussex