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General reading about the role of Magistrates:
The recruitment, application and interview process:
Magistrates' Court law and procedure:
Court journalism and reporting:
An alternative viewpoint:
General reading about the role of Magistrates:
The Secret Magistrate: An open and honest account of life on the bench. A skilled raconteur, The Secret Magistrate relives nuggets from his inbuilt case archive in an entertaining and informative way, providing an insight into the difficult decisions faced by colleagues on the bench every day.
Wildy's Handbook for Magistrates: A readable and comprehensive account of the work of Magistrates in England and Wales. First published in 2012, but includes lots of information still relevant today.
The recruitment, application and interview process:
How To Become A Magistrate: The Insider's Guide: A member of the popular How2Become series, this book provides a step-by-step guide to the process of becoming a Magistrate, from the groundwork needed for a successful application form right up to attending the second stage interview.
Magistrate Interview Questions and Answers: This book provides a handy reference bank of example questions similar to those at the first and second stage interviews. It also suggests the sorts of answers interview panels might be looking for, in order for the applicant to demonstrate they have the key qualities necessary for appointment as a Magistrate.
Magistrates' Court law and procedure:
Essential Magistrates' Courts Law: Written by two experienced Judges, this book provides a handy guide to the legislation and procedures most often encountered in the Magistrates' Court. Written in a simple, punchy manner it provides a general overview rather than in-depth analysis.
Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook: The bestselling Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook provides a complete practical guide for the busy practitioner, incorporating essential extracts from the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines. Packed full of procedural and legislative detail.
Smith, Hogan and Ormerod's Criminal Law: This book is is rightly regarded as the leading doctrinal textbook on criminal law in England and Wales. The book owes its consistent popularity to its accessible style, depth of analysis, and breadth of coverage.
Criminal Procedure and Sentencing: Criminal Procedure and Sentencing provides a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to each step of criminal procedure, from the arrest of the suspect through to trial, sentencing, and appeals. Taking a strong practical focus throughout, it covers all aspects of the process of the criminal courts.
Court journalism and reporting:
McNae's Essential Law for Journalists: McNae's provides authoritative coverage of key media law topics, as well as meeting the needs of busy journalists who need quick and reliable answers to the questions they face in their day-to-day work. Includes pithy summaries, clear cross-references, and hands-on practical advice. Essential reading for anyone reporting on court or tribunal cases.
An alternative viewpoint:
Under the Wig: A Lawyer's Stories of Murder, Guilt and Innocence: William Clegg QC is a lawyer in England specialising in serious crime. Under the Wig features fourteen of his most high profile and intriguing cases, including the murders of Rachel Nickell, Jill Dando and Joanna Yeates.
The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It's Broken: Written by a junior barrister who isn't all that keen on Magistrates! The Secret Barrister provides a candid explanation of the Criminal Justice System, of how it works, and of how, all too often, it doesn't!
In Black and White: A Young Barrister's Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System: Alexandra Wilson, a young mixed-race barrister, gives a fresh perspective on a broken criminal justice system still dominated by a privileged few.
The Rule of Law: Britain's former senior law lord, and one of the world's most acute legal minds, Tom Bingham, examines what the idea of "the rule of law" actually means.
The Prosecutor: Nazir Afzal, former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West of England, relives his journey from a childhood overshadowed by racism to a career prosecuting some of Britain's most high profile criminals, including the perpetrators of the Rochdale child sex ring.
