Describe the role and appointment of Lay Magistrates. Discuss the use of ordinary members of the public within the Magistrates Courts.

Lay magistrates otherwise known as lay justices or Justices of the Peace (JP’s) are ordinary, non-legally qualified people who volunteer to sit and hear cases in the Magistrates Courts. These are local courts that have a geographical limit on their jurisdiction. Lay magistrates are not paid for carrying out their duties, but may claim allowances for travelling, subsistence and financial loss. Each magistrate, whilst only working part-time, is expected to undertake a fair share of the work of the Bench and is required to sit for at least 26 half days each year. They should try to be available to sit for up to 35 half days and up to a whole day if necessary.
Lay magistrates usually exercise their duties as a panel of at least 2 magistrates up to a maximum of 7 and more normally a panel of three. Collectively they are known as “the Bench” and are addressed as “Your Worships”. A single lay magistrate has very limited powers but is expected to deal with requests for warrant...