Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 2014-06-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what training they provide for magistrates.

Lord Faulks

Responsibility for the training of magistrates rests with the Lord Chief Justice and this is exercised through the Judicial College. The National Training Programme for Magistrates provides the framework of training and appraisal for magistrates who sit as chairs and wingers for each of the jurisdictions of Adult Court, Youth Court and Family Court in England and Wales.

The training programme supports the learning and development of magistrates to a consistent standard across England & Wales to enable them to perform their duties effectively. Magistrates will go through an induction process and thereafter attend continuation training. The Judicial College supports the training process by providing Bench Books for the Adult, Youth and Family proceedings. Where a need is identified, the Judicial College will also provide training materials to the magistracy for the implementation of major legislation and other changes.

Magistrates are advised in court by their legal advisers who, as professional lawyers, will keep themselves up-to-date with legal developments.