As High Sheriff it is a real pleasure to present awards to recognise outstanding contributions to those who work in the justice system or in the voluntary sector.
Our Magistrates are both volunteers, sitting for a minimum of 13 days a year in court, as a well as being a critical part of the criminal justice system and so I was delighted to return to the Victorian Law Courts in Birmingham to present awards to a number of Magistrates who have been undertaking the role for over 25 years.
Whilst congratulating and thanking them all, Mr Robert Walker JP has been a Magistrate for over 42 years and despite the fact that he started whilst I was still at University, he seems as energised and committed as ever.
It was also a lovely surprise to present the Bench Chair, Gillian Sebright JP with a certificate from the Lady Chief Justice to mark her 20 years as a Magistrate.
