Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Magistrates: Training

Tuesday 12 September 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Lord Chief Justice is responsible for training magistrates under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
  • Induction training is completed before magistrates start hearing cases.
  • Continuation training is provided on regular cycles to emphasize impartiality.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from the need to ensure that magistrates are well-equipped to make fair and unbiased decisions.

Question

What training is provided to magistrates to help ensure impartial decision making?

Answer from Mike Freer

The Lord Chief Justice has a statutory responsibility under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to train the judiciary, including magistrates and their legal advisers. Induction training is completed before hearing cases, and continuation training is provided on regular cycles, emphasizing impartial decision making.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

This question stems from a reported statement by a judge during a trial involving demonstrations against an Israeli company that supplies arms to the British armed forces. The concern is about the impartiality of judicial decisions.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. Chris Pincher and I have been working very closely to ensure that the police act strongly and swiftly in Shenstone near Lichfield over constant demonstrations at an Israeli company that supplies arms to the British armed forces. Two people went to trial at a magistrates court in Walsall and they were acquitted. It is reported—we do not know for sure because it is not a court of record—that the judge said 'on the principle of proportionality…their action was proportionate in comparison to the crimes against humanity which they were acting to stop' by the Israelis. I think that, if it were true, is outrageous. What can be done within the judicial system to ensure that that sort of thing does not happen, if indeed it did?

Answer from Mike Freer

My hon. Friend raises an important point about the independence of the judiciary. We must be cautious with third-party reports, as these cases are not officially reported. However, if he wishes to discuss points of law for an appeal from the prosecuting authority, I am willing to guide him on how that may be taken up with the Attorney General. For any complaints about judicial behavior, there is a clearly defined process we can discuss after today's session.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue of the reported judge's statement and its implications was not directly addressed.

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