by TheJusticeofthePeace @ 01.
Nov. 2010. – 10:31:48
Parliamentary answers are, I suppose, answers straight from the horse`s mouth. They are as close as an outsider can get to inside information. So those who do not relish compulsory retirement from the bench as they approach three score years and ten have been offered no glimmer of hope that they might continue in office at 70+ after a question put by Anna Soubry M.P. to Jonathan Djanogly (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (HM Courts Service and Legal Aid), Justice; Huntingdon, Conservative) on October 26th and copied below.
Anna Soubry (Broxtowe, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will undertake a review of the requirement for magistrates to retire from the bench at the age of 70 years.
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 26 October 2010, c216W)
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 26 October 2010, c216W)
Jonathan Djanogly (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (HM Courts Service and Legal Aid), Justice; Huntingdon, Conservative)
There are currently no plans to undertake a review. The retirement age for magistrates is 70 and is set in statute under section 13 of the Courts Act 2003. This is in line with the retirement age for the vast majority of other judicial offices.
The contribution of magistrates of all ages is invaluable. However, it is important that magistrates reflect the diverse communities they serve. While there has been positive progress on ethnic and gender diversity, 82% of magistrates are 50 or over and the average age is 57. As well as taking magistrates out of step with other judicial offices, increasing the retirement age would reduce the number of available vacancies and thus reduce opportunities for younger people to become magistrates.
So there we have it; the last word from the Minister but follow that logic to Sheffield. Today the South Yorkshire Star reports the swearing in of new magistrates in its latest intake. They total six in number with a mean age of 52 the youngest being 43 and the oldest 61. Personally I consider that 52 is not an inappropriate age to begin this job but I do not consider that any but the most unusual candidates under 21 are equipped so to do.
Latest age profiles [March 2010] of the magistracy are interesting.
Under 40........3.9%
40-49 ............14.3%
50-59 ............31.0%
60+ ................50.8%
What is perhaps more interesting in relation to the Minister`s parliamentary answer is the profile of newly appointed magistrates at 31/03/2010
Under40.........23.9%
40-49.............28.6%
50-59.............35.7%
60+.................21.1%
I make no conclusions on these figures but when any policy is driven by a target I have fears that underlying requirements might be undervalued.
The contribution of magistrates of all ages is invaluable. However, it is important that magistrates reflect the diverse communities they serve. While there has been positive progress on ethnic and gender diversity, 82% of magistrates are 50 or over and the average age is 57. As well as taking magistrates out of step with other judicial offices, increasing the retirement age would reduce the number of available vacancies and thus reduce opportunities for younger people to become magistrates.
So there we have it; the last word from the Minister but follow that logic to Sheffield. Today the South Yorkshire Star reports the swearing in of new magistrates in its latest intake. They total six in number with a mean age of 52 the youngest being 43 and the oldest 61. Personally I consider that 52 is not an inappropriate age to begin this job but I do not consider that any but the most unusual candidates under 21 are equipped so to do.
Latest age profiles [March 2010] of the magistracy are interesting.
Under 40........3.9%
40-49 ............14.3%
50-59 ............31.0%
60+ ................50.8%
What is perhaps more interesting in relation to the Minister`s parliamentary answer is the profile of newly appointed magistrates at 31/03/2010
Under40.........23.9%
40-49.............28.6%
50-59.............35.7%
60+.................21.1%
I make no conclusions on these figures but when any policy is driven by a target I have fears that underlying requirements might be undervalued.
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