The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has started a new campaign to recruit more magistrates in an effort to reduce the backlog of cases in courts across England and Wales. The goal is to increase the number of volunteer magistrates to 21,000 by 2029, as the number has dropped to 12,500 in 2022. Magistrates are unpaid members of the public who handle the majority of criminal cases—about 95%—in the country. As part of upcoming reforms, their ability to impose prison sentences will be expanded from a maximum of 12 months to 18 months, allowing them to handle more serious offenses. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Norris praised magistrates for their commitment to public service and urged people to consider becoming local magistrates. Currently, nearly 57% of magistrates are women, and around 14% are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The role requires volunteers to sit in court for at least 13 days a year, a commitment the MoJ says can be balanced with work and family life. Catherine Feast, chief executive of the Magistrates’ Association, highlighted the qualities needed to be a successful magistrate, including teamwork, problem-solving, good listening skills, and the ability to make fair and empathetic judgments in court. She encouraged people who believe they have these qualities to apply for the role, emphasizing the importance of diverse and skilled volunteers in the justice system. This recruitment campaign comes alongside the government’s announcement that specialist courts for handling rape and sexual offense cases will be established across England and Wales. Within two years, every Crown Court will have at least one courtroom designated specifically for such cases. Victims will be provided with a private entrance and waiting area, which they are already allowed to request, though availability has been limited. Court staff will receive training to better understand and respond to trauma, and each survivor will be assigned a single point of contact. These measures are expected to cost around £23 million from the MoJ budget. Additionally, from October, court trials will be scheduled with fixed dates instead of being placed on flexible lists. This change aims to streamline court processes and ensure victims are prioritized in the justice system.