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Supporting your employees as magistrates

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Supporting magistrates

Thank you for your interest in supporting the magistracy within your organisation. Whether you already have colleagues who volunteer as magistrates or you’re exploring how to encourage employees to consider the role, we’re here to help.

Benefits of having a magistrate employee for your business

Supporting employees to become magistrates can strengthen your business’s community engagement, enhance its reputation, and position you as an employer of choice. As well as boosting job satisfaction and attracting new employees, your business also benefits as magistrates gain valuable, transferable skills that they can use in your organisation, including:

• decision-making• problem-solving
• leadership and mentoring• conflict resolution
• project management• time management

Your legal obligations as an employer

By law, there is a requirement that employers allow reasonable time off to serve as a magistrate:

  • There is no legal obligation to pay employees for this time off. 
  • If employers do not offer paid leave, employees can claim a loss of earnings allowance from the court. 
  • Many employers choose to offer financial support for at least part of the time, recognising the value of the role and the skills employees gain.

Magistrates commit to at least 13 sitting days per year, for a minimum of five years. These sittings can include half-day sessions and occasional weekends, offering some flexibility.

Update your volunteer policy

Review your Corporate Social Responsibility, volunteering, or special leave policies to include magistrate duties. This gives clarity on expectations and entitlements, and helps managers align them with flexible working, legal requirements, and business benefits.

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Further reading

  • Get in touch with the Magistrates Recruitment team at MagistratesComms@justice.gov.uk
  • Visit our employer advice page where you and your employee can learn more.  
  • Download our magistrates recruitment campaign materials to share with your staff. 
  • The Magistrates’ Leadership Executive helps employers champion the magistracy. Through their network of Diversity and Community Magistrates, they deliver engaging talks that show the role’s value and the skills it brings to the workplace. 
  • The Magistrates’ Association can help promote this initiative – from staff meetings to CEO briefings – and help you to support your magistrate employees.