Thousands of new magistrates are being sought in 2026 as the UK Government launches a national recruitment campaign aimed at boosting the number of volunteers delivering justice in local courts across England and Wales.
The Ministry of Justice said the new drive aims to recruit more than 2,000 magistrates in the next financial year, matching the number trained since 2022.
The recruitment forms part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change to speed up justice for victims and protect the public.
Magistrates are unpaid volunteers drawn from the communities they serve.
They hear cases across criminal, youth, family and some civil courts, and are expected to commit at least 13 days a year to sittings, allowing many to balance the role alongside work or caring responsibilities.
Latest figures show that 57 per cent of magistrates are women and 14 per cent are from an ethnic minority background.
London has the highest proportion of magistrates from an ethnic minority background, at 31 per cent.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said magistrates were essential to the justice system.
“Magistrates play a vital role in our court system – hearing thousands of cases across every jurisdiction and delivering justice,” he said.
“They are everyday heroes – and we need more people of every age and background to volunteer not just to deliver justice but to serve and represent their local communities.
“Volunteering to become a magistrate can make a real difference to your life and the lives of others, that’s why I’m calling on the public to apply and play your part.”
New research cited by the Government suggests 45 per cent of people in England and Wales would consider volunteering in the next 12 months.
The Ministry of Justice said all new magistrates receive training, an experienced mentor during their first year, and ongoing support from specialist legal advisers.
The key qualities sought in applicants include good communication skills, fairness, and the ability to consider different points of view.
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