This week is National Volunteers’ Week, an annual celebration of the contribution that is made by millions of people across the UK through volunteering. It takes place 1-7 June every year.

Magistrates working together in Westminster Magistrates’ court.

Magistrates are individuals from all walks of life who give up their valuable time and are passionate about making a difference in their local communities. They volunteer for at least 13 days a year to hear a variety of cases dealing with criminal proceedings, or in the Family Court.

Magistrates working together in Westminster Magistrates’ court.

Magistrates sit in court in groups of two or three, known as benches, and are accompanied by a legal adviser to give them support.

Lord Burnett, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, recently shared his thanks to magistrates for their important volunteering role:

“This is a timely moment, therefore, for us to voice our thanks to magistrates, who make a vital contribution to our justice system, in both the family and criminal jurisdictions. Magistrates give their time freely for the good of their communities and the nation as a whole. The impact of their voluntary work is extremely valuable and the justice system simply could not function without them. We owe them a great debt of thanks.”