Judicial Profiles - District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)
District judges (Magistrates' Courts) - formerly known as stipendiary magistrates – are permanent members of the judiciary who usually deal with the longer and more complex matters coming before the Magistrates' courts.
Introduction
District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) hear criminal cases, youth cases and also some civil proceedings in Magistrates’ Courts. District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) can be authorized to hear cases in the Family Proceedings Courts. Some are authorised to deal with extradition proceedings and terrorist cases. District judges (Magistrates’ Courts) are also authorized to sit as Prison Adjudicators.
District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) usually hear cases alone.
By virtue of their office District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) are justices of the peace.
Appointment
District judges (Magistrates’ Courts) are appointed by The Queen, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, following a fair and open competition administered by the Judicial Appointment Commission. The statutory qualification is a seven-year right of audience - the right of a lawyer to appear and speak as an advocate for a party in a case in the court - in relation to all proceedings in any part of the Supreme Court, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates' courts. Additionally they will have usually served as deputy district judges (Magistrates' Courts) for a minimum of two years or 30 days' sittings.
Court Dress
District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) do not normally wear robes in court.