Thousands of new magistrates sought to tackle growing courts backlog
The government has launched a major recruitment drive to bring thousands of new magistrates into the justice system in England and Wales, as it battles record delays in the criminal courts.
The Ministry of Justice said more than 2,000 magistrates have been trained since 2022 and ministers now want to recruit a further 2,000 within the next financial year. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce mounting backlogs, particularly in the crown courts.
Justice Secretary David Lammy said magistrates play a “vital role” in delivering justice and called on people “of every age and background” to volunteer.
new magistrates
“Magistrates are everyday heroes,” he said. “We need more people stepping forward, not just to deliver justice but to serve and represent their local communities. Volunteering to become a magistrate can make a real difference to your life and the lives of others.”
The push follows Lammy’s announcement in December of sweeping reforms to the criminal courts, including plans to remove juries from some trials to speed up proceedings. Latest figures show more than 79,600 criminal cases are currently stuck in the crown court backlog in England and Wales, the highest level since early 2023. Ministry of Justice projections suggest that number could reach 100,000 by 2028.
The delays mean victims and defendants in serious cases charged in 2026 could be left waiting years for their day in court, with some trials not expected to begin before 2030.
There are currently about 14,000 magistrates in England and Wales, but insiders estimate that around 20,000 may be needed if magistrates are to take on an expanded role under the government’s reform plans. Lammy has already proposed increasing magistrates’ sentencing powers to allow them to impose prison terms of up to 18 months.
Magistrates sit in courts dealing with criminal, youth, and civil and family cases, supported by specialist legal advisers. All are volunteers and are expected to sit for at least 13 days a year.
The Magistrates’ Association welcomed the recruitment drive, describing it as a “big vote of confidence” in the magistracy. However, it warned that recruitment alone would not solve the crisis without further investment.
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The association has called for more trained legal advisers, repairs to deteriorating court buildings, and wider support for the courts system. Its national chairman, David Ford, said it was essential that magistrates continued to reflect the communities they serve and urged more young people and those from under represented groups to apply.
More than 80 per cent of magistrates are currently over the age of 50, with half aged over 60, and only a small proportion under 30. The mandatory retirement age was increased from 70 to 75 in 2021, but many long serving magistrates are now reaching the end of their tenure.
Latest Ministry of Justice figures show that 57 per cent of magistrates are women and 14 per cent are from ethnic minority backgrounds, rising to 31 per cent in London.
The Conservatives said the recruitment drive, while welcome, did not address deeper problems in the justice system. Shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan said: “Recruiting thousands of new magistrates is welcome, but it cannot paper over the failings of a justice secretary and a Labour government that has consistently failed to deliver meaningful reform.”
Despite the criticism, ministers insist the expansion of the magistracy is a key plank in restoring confidence in the justice system and cutting delays that have left victims and defendants waiting years for cases to be resolved.
