The justice system relies heavily on volunteers - Justices of the Peace (otherwise known as magistrates) - who deal with around 95% of all criminal cases in England and Wales.

Magistrates make decisions every day that affect the lives of defendants and, ultimately, everyone in the community.

Find out what magistrates do and how to become one - all applications are welcome, especially from ethnic minorities and the under-50 age group.

For further information and an application form, please follow the Applying to become a magistrate link to the direct.gov.uk website. Application forms are available to be downloaded and filled in by hand, or completed online.

Back to top