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Lord Chancellor's Department
Press Notice
4 September 1998
OLDER MAGISTRATES APPOINTED
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, today welcomed the news that over
10% of magistrates appointed in the past year were aged over 55.
Lord Irvine was responding to figures that revealed that of the 1461
magistrates appointed in the period August 1997 to July 1998, 147
were from the 55-65 age group.
In July 1997 the Lord Chancellor increased the upper age limit for
the appointment of magistrates from the age of 55, which had operated
in practice, to 65. He regarded the existing policy as ageist. It
failed to pay sufficient regard to the contribution which older
people could make to the life of their communities. It also failed to
tap the increasing pool of people who take early retirement but who
still have a great deal to contribute to society.
Speaking today, Lord Irvine said
"I am very encouraged by these figures. This initiative has opened
the magistracy to a great number of people who would otherwise not
have been eligible to apply. I am very pleased that significant
numbers of older people have put themselves forward for this
important public service. The figures are evidence that older people
can and will now be able to make a worthwhile contribution to the
work of the bench.
"This policy should also be seen in the context of work being
undertaken across Government to recognise the wealth of experience
vested in older people and to encourage their greater participation
in their communities."
Notes to editors
During the period August 1997 to July 1998, of the 709 people who
applied for appointment in the 55-59 age group, 125 (9% of all those
appointed) were recommended for appointment. Of 303 people that
applied in the 60-65 age group, 22 (1.5% of all those appointed) were
recommended for appointment. The statutory retirement age is 70. The
youngest age at which an applicant can be considered is 27.
Justices of the Peace are appointed on behalf of the Queen by the
Lord Chancellor, except in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and
Lancashire where appointments are made by the Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster. Appointments to the magistracy are governed by the
Justices of the Peace Act 1997.
The work of the 94 Advisory Committees, which recommend candidates
for appointment to the magistracy, is governed by the Lord
Chancellor's Directions to Advisory Committees on Justices of the
Peace, which have recently been revised and issued in July 1998.
The Lord Chancellor and the Chancellor of the Duchy make about 1500
appointments to the magistracy each year. As at 1 January 1998, there
were 30,361 lay magistrates in England and Wales, of whom 15,713 were
men and 14,648 were women.
Magistrates are expected to sit for about 35 half-days each year.
They are unpaid but receive certain allowances e.g. to cover
travelling expenses.
Almost all criminal cases start in the magistrates' court and over
95% of cases are completed there.
For further information Please Contact The LCD Press Office.
