The 119 roles are available to applicants aged between 18 and 74
The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission has launched a major recruitment campaign to appoint 119 new lay magistrates to serve in courts acrossThe positions are available in Youth and Family Proceedings Courts and mark the first large-scale recruitment exercise for lay magistrates in twenty years.
NIJAC said it hopes to attract applicants from a broad range of backgrounds in a bid to ensure the judiciary reflects the communities it serves. Lay magistrates sit alongside professional judges and help make decisions in cases involving some of the most vulnerable people in society. They also carry out a range of signatory duties and are expected to bring local knowledge, life experience and independent judgement to the court process.
The recruitment scheme will fill 55 vacancies in the South Eastern Administrative Court Division, 36 in the North Eastern Division and 28 in the Western Division. Successful applicants will typically be required to complete around 10 court sittings each year, undertake training and share duties fairly with fellow magistrates. , Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and chair of NIJAC, said lay magistrates play an important role in maintaining the connection between courts and the wider public.
"Lay Magistrates are incredibly valuable to the justice system. They bring the voice and perspective of the local community into the courtroom," she said.
"They come from different walks of life, professions, and backgrounds and that diversity of experience ensures that decisions aren't made in isolation but reflect broader societal values. "The Lay Magistrates Scheme offers an important opportunity for local people to contribute meaningfully to the justice system, reinforcing the vital connection between the courts and the communities they serve. ""It's been 20 years since the last competition was carried out to recruit Lay Magistrates," she said.
"This recruitment scheme presents an important opportunity for NIJAC to reach out across Northern Ireland and engage with local communities, encouraging applications from a wide range of people, ensuring the judiciary in Northern Ireland is reflective of the community it serves. "I would encourage people to visit NIJAC's Lay Magistrates Hub on our website, find out some more information and consider applying for this important role in the judiciary ensuring that community remains at the heart of justice.
"Applicants must be aged between 18 and 74 and resident in Northern Ireland. NIJAC said the key qualities sought are integrity, fairness, sound judgment, and the ability to make balanced decisions. Certain professions, including practising barristers and solicitors, police officers, prison officers, members of the armed forces and elected representatives, are barred from applying under statutory rules.
Lay magistrates receive fees for attendance and training, with a full day's court attendance currently paid at £226.92 and a half day at £113.46. Full-day training is paid at £88.98.
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