Delivering local, peer-driven justice

Ewan Lawry fulfils his ambition to become a magistrate

I had long been drawn to the idea of becoming a magistrate, with its noble claim to deliver justice locally and by one’s peers. As a Christian, I particularly felt the impulse that “when justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous’.

After researching the process and ensuring that my employer would let me work flexibly to sit in court, I applied in late 2024, was interviewed, and underwent the extensive vetting process. It was quite a moment to receive the letter confirming that I had been approved and then that I would be sitting in the Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion Local Justice Area as a justice of the peace.

The crowning moment is the swearing in ceremony, in which you swear or affirm the oath of allegiance to the King and his successors and then take the judicial oath to “do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.” That was the point at which it felt ‘real’, in language reminding us of the ancient roots of the magistracy and reinforcing the importance of the commitment to deal with over 90% of all criminal cases with the power to fine and imprison. Colleagues in the youth and family courts face a similarly weighty responsibility in making decisions that can literally impact on the rest of a person’s life.

Naturally, this provoked some anxiety – after all, who am I to sit in judgement on others? But these doubts were quickly dispelled by the warm welcome from the other magistrates and the support staff, as well as by the detailed training programme. This is a position of huge responsibility, but also one in which you are made to feel comfortable and reassured that there is not any special type of person who can be a magistrate or that you need to be a legal expert. The training and the integral legal advisors in every sitting ensure that people from all backgrounds can participate irrespective of their qualifications, employment history or life experience.

The important point is that the law, made by Parliament, belongs to us all and we all benefit by abiding by it. When it is broken, our society continues to function because justice is dispensed locally, transparently and in a timely manner. Magistrates are integral to this as a living, local link between the community and the judiciary, doing essential work in which we can all play our part. This is a profoundly rewarding role and, if it piques your interest, a path I would encourage everyone to explore.