RESIDENTS of North East Wales are being encouraged to consider becoming magistrates.

There were 25,000 Magistrates across England and Wales in 2012.

By 2019 that number reduced to 15,000, and then to 13,100 in September this year.

That decline is due to falling workloads - with some crimes formerly dealt with by court now handled via fixed penalty notices.

But it is also down to the introduction of technology.

Currently there are about 120 Magistrates in the area, and the Magistracy is to recruit another four to six in spring 2021.

Andrew Stubbs, North East Wales Magistrates bench chairman, has shared his experience in a bid to help others understand what the role entails.

"I have been a magistrate for 16 years and I became one following a discussion with a colleague of mine on the M6 motorway," he explained.

"I asked him what he was doing tomorrow and he said he was in court - I didn't realise he was a Magistrate. "We got talking about it and he suggested I apply, so after some time and thought I decided it would be a good idea. "I went through the process and was appointed in 2004 to the Flintshire bench - which has since amalgamated with Wrexham.

"There is a two-stage interview process and anyone appointed has training, as you'd expect, which is aimed at providing you with the skills you need to be a Magistrate in a courtroom. "You don't need any qualifications or legal background.

"The requirements are that you need to be aged 18 to 65, be generally aware of social issues, be mature and understand people and have a sense of fairness.

"You also need to be reliable and committed to serving the community and have no serious criminal convictions."

Describing his initial weeks and months, he continued: "Like with any new role, there's perhaps some uncertainty, but your colleagues provide you with support and as a new Magistrate you have a mentor. "We always sit with other magistrates in court so you're not on your own and we always have a legal advisor who is there to advise us on matters of the law.

"Any decisions we make are based on guidelines - we sentence in accordance with those."

Mr Stubbs said the Magistrates of North East Wales come from all different kinds of backgrounds and jobs.

He said: "On our bench we have students, nurses, factory workers, retired people, delivery drivers, business owners.

"This year we have recruited about 16 more to join them and next year we'll be recruiting another four to six. "There is a requirement that you must sit a minimum of 13 full days per year and the rotas are arranged six months ahead.

"Employers are legally required to give people time off to perform their duties.

"Often they grant paid time for volunteering, but some may not.

"Nationally, there were 13,177 Magistrates across England and Wales in September 2020 - 56 per cent were women and 13 per cent were from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

"In our recruitment we want the Magistracy to be reflective of the diversity within the community. "We want people of all ages and from all walks of life to join us."

Mr Stubbs said he wished to remind prospective applicants that the role of Magistrate is voluntary, but expenses for travel to court are provided, as well as an allowance for loss of earnings if a loss is incurred.

"There are a lot of advantages to employers whose staff become Magistrates," he continued.

"They tend to develop their skills in dealing with conflict, decision making, communication and thinking skills. "In the Magistrates Court we deal with 90 per cent of all cases, from minor motoring offences to assaults, crimes involving drugs, theft - all kinds.

"We try to come to the right decision with the aim of preventing reoffending."

On his message to those interested, he said: "If you have the slightest interest, think about putting in an application.

"Before applying, go and observe - sit in a court and see what happens. "Google 'become a magistrate' and follow the links there.

"New magistrates can sit in the adult crime court or they can specialise in the family court.

"Once they have sat in adult court for two years they can move into the youth court with further training."

In his role as bench chairman, Mr Stubbs offers support to other Magistrates regarding any issues they may have have, sickness, absence and any concerns.

He is also responsible for keeping Magistrates informed about any changes which may be happening.

He was appointed to the year-long position in April this year.