Magistrates' courts - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (original) (raw)

Magistrates are trained, volunteer members of the local community who make decisions in criminal and family cases in Magistrates’ courts and the Family Court. The most complex cases in Magistrates’ courts are heard by District Judges.

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Find out more about the work of Magistrates’ courts

District Judge (Magistrates courts)

District Judges (Magistrates’ courts) hear criminal cases, youth cases, and some civil proceedings in Magistrates’ courts. They can also be authorised to hear cases in the Family Court.

Magistrates

Find out more about the role of a magistrate and what they do.

Bench Chairs

Each Bench has a ‘Chair’, elected by the members of the Bench to act as their leader, representative and spokesperson.