Coventry Magistrates Court – Tuesday 13th August 2024

In my role as High Sheriff of the West Midlands, I visited Coventry Magistrates Court. The primary role of the High Sheriff is to support the judiciary in our seven boroughs. I spent a very informative morning going round the courts and was personally shown round by a fellow High Sheriff (of Warwickshire) @Raji Kaur Gill who herself is a Magistrate. During my time I sat in various courts and saw first hand the exceptional worth that the entire team do here. I met several of the back of house staff who work so tirelessly to ensure the courts operates efficiently for the Magistrates and Judges.

Magistrates, also known as Justices of the Peace, serve as pillars of the judicial system presiding over cases in magistrates’ courts and making decisions on a wide range of criminal and civil matters. Their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, combined with rigorous training, equip them to adjudicate fairly and impartially in a variety of legal proceedings. It’s worth remembering that Magistrates themselves are volunteers and play a vital part of the legal system.  At lunchtime I was given the opportunity to share my own journey to becoming a High Sheriff and to thank the Judges, Magistrates and court staff for all of their hard work. Their unwavering commitment to the justice system shone through. A big thanks to the Bench Chair Magistrate, for inviting me.

I look forward to continuing my support for the judiciary system for across the West Midlands.