Massive Decline in Number of Northumbria Magistrates

The number of magistrates in Northumbria has fallen by more than a third in the past three years.

The Northumbria clerkship comprises seven courts between Berwick Upon Tweed on the England/Scotland border and Sunderland in the south.

Ministry of Justice figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, confirm there are currently 421 active magistrates within the clerkship, which is down from 662 three years ago. There are no Northumbria magistrates under the age of 30.

A few years ago the clerkship was reorganised into two Local Justice Areas in an effort to streamline justice - one for North Northumbria (comprising Berwick Upon Tweed, Mid- and South-East Northumberland, Newcastle Upon Tyne and North Tyneside Magistrates' Courts) and one for South Northumbria (comprising Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland Magistrates' Courts).

The low number of magistrates means that benches of two are commonplace. Furthermore, magistrates from more rural areas often have to travel many miles to their sittings.

There lack of magistrates is a problem throughout the North East region, with Northumbria magistrates being called upon to sit in courts in Durham and Teesside.

Magistrate numbers are falling significantly in England and Wales, from nearly 20,000 magistrates in 2015 to just over 15,000 this year - a drop of around 25%.

John Collins, Chief Executive of The Magistrates' Association, said that for magistrate numbers to remain constant over the next 10 years, more than 8,000 new magistrates need to be recruited to replace those retiring once they turn 70.

"It's urgently required that the Ministry of Justice works with us and others to promote the benefits of being a magistrate, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups", said Mr Collins.

Law Society president Christina Blacklaws said: "Magistrates have to travel further, unpaid, for the privilege of sitting as a magistrate, and they lose the close connection to local justice in their home area that often attracts people to the role in the first place.

"This particularly affects people in rural areas, those with disabilities, and lower income families.

"Twenty years of cuts have heaped colossal pressure on the entire justice system, and those who work hard every day to ensure the rule of law is upheld."

Strangely, given this latest news, the Northumbria Advisory Committee, which oversees the appointment of new Magistrates, is not currently recruiting.

Update: It appears that similar articles about declining magistrate numbers are appearing in local newspapers across the land.