'Volunteer magistrates deserve more recognition than a certificate!' - MP hails the 'backbone' of justice system
A certificate to recognise the long-serving work and dedication of volunteer magistrates is not enough, a Shropshire MP has said.
Telford MP, and former solicitor, Shaun Davies has renewed his call for long-service medals to be established and distributed to volunteer magistrates.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (June 3), Mr Davies described volunteer magistrates as the "backbone" of the justice system, stating that they deal with 95 per cent of criminal cases.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Justice, Sarah Sackman responded by outlining a "system of certification" that acknowledges the "vital" work that magistrates do. But, she added that she would be happy to discuss how volunteer magistrates can be recognised further.
"Volunteer magistrates are the backbone of our justice system," Mr Davies said. "As I said in Parliament, they deal with 95 per cent of our criminal cases.
"Some of those magistrates serve for 20 to 30 years. At the moment they get a piece of paper every so often to recognise that, and although that is gratefully received and appreciated, I think like other public servants, particularly those who do it on a voluntary basis, should be acknowledged through a long service medal.
"I think it would go to underline the respect we have for magistrates."
Mr Davies continues to campaign to reduce the backlog in courts. He says victims are being forced to wait 42 days on average for their case to be heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
The Telford MP asked the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood to meet him, the Magistrates' Association and a group of cross-party MPs to discuss the introduction of a long-service medal, alongside the Magistrates' Association’s forthcoming report on how to 'recruit and retain' magistrates.
It comes after the Government announced increased sentencing powers for magistrates to ease the "historic crisis in prisons and deal with court backlog".
Mr Davies continued: "The Government, through the changes it is making, is going to put more powers and responsibilities on magistrates and I think that it is only right that we recognise them and respect them.
"This is one small way that we can do it and I am glad that the Minister is going to meet me and the Magistrates Association to discuss how we can do that together."
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