As part of my plan to visit as many of the main courts in the West Midlands during my Shrieval year, I visited the Magistrates Court in Walsall.
I observed a number of the cases that were being heard in the Criminal Court and had an opportunity to catch up with two of the Deputy Chairs of the Black Country Bench, as well as the Diversity and Community Relations Magistrate who does vitally important outreach work in the local community.
We talked at length about the opportunities for people to apply to be a Magistrate. Applicants do not have to have a legal background or experience as relevant training is provided on appointment, but they do need to be able to commit to a minimum of 13 days per year to this voluntary role, which is fundamental to efficient operation of the criminal justice system in the Country.