Page 119 - 2018 Powerlist

ADVERTORIAL

WANTED: MORE

BLACK MAGISTRATES

London’s courts are recruiting 350 new Magistrates. Magistrates sit at least 13
days a year (and commit time to training as well); most offer about 20 sitting
days. They make decisions that have enormous impacts on people’s lives.
The courts are looking for more diverse applicants: younger people, and men
and women from the BME community. Could this be you? Just imagine, write
Geoff Gillham and Jessica Baldwin, that you have been appointed…

ou are a magistrate, sitting – as
usual – with two colleagues. It’s
Ya quiet morning in Court Six
on the third floor of the Westminster
Magistrates’ Courthouse. There are
no windows, so the cars passing on
the Marylebone Road can’t be heard,
just the hum of the air conditioner.
The case-list so far has been
straightforward: two pick-pockets
and a drunk driver. There is a lull. The
handful of people in court: solicitors
– Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
and defence – the probation officer,
the usher, and the legal adviser, wait
patiently for the next defendant to be
brought up from the cells.
A jangle of keys and James Andrews
enters the dock. He stands behind the
glass, peering around the courtroom,
a tall man in his 40s. His upper arms
seem too big for the sleeves of his red
polo shirt; his glasses are perched on
his head. Andrews is charged with
assaulting a former partner – she’s
also the mother of his four-year-old
daughter. To make matters worse, he a plate, badly bruising the woman’s The defence then says Andrews’
has broken a restraining order imposed shoulder. He has, they say, a long and nine-year-old son had been hit by a
by another court directing him to stay tumultuous history with the woman; car and had died from his injuries. The
away from the woman. earlier charges of assault had been funeral will take place that afternoon
The legal adviser asks Andrews for dropped when she withdrew her and Andrews is desperate to be there.
his name, address and date of birth, accusations. The prosecution argue The defence adds that Andrews’
then reads the charges. Andrews that by breaching the restraining order, former partner has moved to a new flat
speaks clearly. He pleads guilty to Andrews has shown that he won’t and he doesn’t know the address.
breaching the restraining order, but obey the courts; that if free, he would You go to the retiring room with
not guilty to the assault. There is a be likely to contact his former partner your colleagues: three equal voices
quick consultation. Andrews will be and hurt her again, or pressure her to in one closed room. You have to
tried for assault in four weeks’ time. withdraw the case. decide. Grant Andrews bail so he can
The magistrates – that is, you – must Andrews’ defence lawyer says his attend his son’s funeral? Or refuse, to
now decide whether he should stay in client had gone to help his former protect his former partner from the risk
prison until his trial, or be given bail. partner move. She had begged for his of further harm? You don’t have long.
The prosecution oppose bail. help. The lawyer says his client knew What would you decide…?
Andrews had gone to his former he had breached the restraining order, Interested? Why not go to your
partner’s flat the day before to help and that it was wrong to have done so. local magistrates’ court, see the work
her move. Their daughter was there, as He also admits that he had a ferocious first-hand, then find out how to apply
was a neighbour who called the police argument with his former partner. at www.direct.gov.uk/magistrates.
when the couple started arguing. But he denies throwing a plate, or This case is fictional but very typical of
The prosecution say Andrews threw harming the woman in any way. those heard by the London courts

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