Form

Become a magistrate: application form

You can now apply online to become a magistrate. Paper application forms are no longer being accepted.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Apply online to be a magistrate

Details

Apply to become a magistrate online

Find out what magistrates are expected to do, what goes on inside court and apply online.

You should visit a magistrates’ court in general session at least once before you apply.

When you apply online you will be asked to provide:

  • personal details
  • whether you are applying to the criminal or family court
  • previous employment history and criminal convictions
  • how you meet the attributes needed to be a magistrate

Find out more about how to volunteer as a magistrate and decide if it’s the right opportunity for you.

Published 1 September 2009
Last updated 24 January 2022 + show all updates
  1. Removed application forms in English and Welsh. Paper forms are no longer accepted. Added link to the online application service at https://magistrates.judiciary.uk/.

  2. Annex B: Referees form updated

  3. Clarifying that Appendix A is optional and Appendix B is mandatory when applying to volunteer to be a magistrate.

  4. Removal of forms for applications before 31 May 2019

  5. Update to application forms from 1 June 2019.

  6. Addition of Welsh language forms

  7. Adding new forms to reflect the changed recruitment process from 1 June 2019

  8. Amendments to forms and addition of appendices in English and Welsh

  9. Addition of the Welsh language versions of the application forms

  10. Removal of magistrate application form

  11. Criminal and family application forms added.

  12. Application form updated.

  13. Update to form

  14. Update to form

  15. Regular update

  16. Update to Welsh version of application form

  17. Routine update

  18. First published.