UK Government Seeks 2,000 New Magistrates in National Drive

The UK government has begun a national campaign to recruit volunteer magistrates across England and Wales, aiming to address ongoing court backlogs and support the justice system.

On 3 January 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced the start of a recruitment initiative seeking around 2,000 new magistrates for the next financial year. This target matches the number of magistrates trained since 2022, as the government continues efforts to strengthen the capacity of local courts.

The campaign forms part of broader government measures intended to reduce delays in the criminal justice process and improve outcomes for victims. According to the Ministry of Justice, the recruitment drive is aligned with ongoing reforms in the court system, including proposals to expand magistrates’ sentencing powers and introduce limits on jury trials for specific cases.

Magistrates serve as volunteers, with a minimum commitment of 13 days per year. They receive training, mentoring, and support from legal advisors to carry out their responsibilities in court proceedings.

What the numbers show

• More than 2,000 magistrates have been trained since 2022
• As of September 2023, magistrates’ courts had 353,900 outstanding cases
• The Crown Court backlog reached over 78,000 cases by June 2025

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy encouraged applications from individuals of all backgrounds and ages. The Ministry of Justice reported that, based on the latest available data, 57% of magistrates are female and 14% are from ethnic minority backgrounds, with London recording the highest proportion of magistrates from minority groups at 31%.

The recruitment campaign follows a period of increasing case backlogs in both magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court. By September 2024, the Crown Court backlog had surpassed 73,000 cases, and by June 2025, this number had risen to approximately 78,329. Magistrates’ courts have also seen a rise in outstanding caseloads, prompting the government to set annual recruitment targets for new magistrates.

Since 2022, the government has focused on training new magistrates as part of its strategy to manage the growing volume of cases. The recruitment campaign aims to maintain this momentum by bringing in additional volunteers to support the judicial process.

Industry reaction

The Magistrates’ Association described the recruitment initiative as a positive step for the magistracy. The association also called for further investment in resources, including the provision of trained legal advisers and improvements to court facilities.

Stakeholders have stated that the recruitment drive represents a commitment to supporting the justice system, while also highlighting the need for continued attention to infrastructure and operational support within the courts.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.