The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State’s Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace

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Updated November 2025

This edition of the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State’s Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace replaces the edition issued in October 2023.

From 1 November 2025, there are two versions of the Directions:

  • A standard version, which reflects standard updates to recruitment, appointment, and oversight processes.
  • A Pathways version, which includes amended Parts 1 and 3 only. Regions using this version should continue to follow Parts 2, 4, and 5, and all annexes, as normal.

Areas that should use all standard versions are those in London, Midlands, North East regions and Wales.

For areas in Wales, please note: the Directions are currently being translated into Welsh, and these will be made available before the next scheduled round of recruitment campaigns.

Areas that should use the Pathway version of Parts 1 and 3 are those in North West, South East and South West.

The document is laid out in five parts, with two alternative parts for the Pathways Programme: 

Part 1 – Advisory committees 

Part 2 – Eligibility for the magistracy 

Part 3 – The selection process for magistrates 

Part 4 – Submitting recommendations for appointment 

Part 5 – Matters arising after appointment 

Pathways Part 1 – Advisory committees 

Pathways Part 3 – The selection process for magistrates 

Advisory Committees must adhere to these Directions and use the materials available in the committee toolkit. It is recognised that the Directions cannot cater for every circumstance that will arise in the course of a committee’s work. Committees should use sensible discretion in dealing with such issues, ensuring they do not deviate from the spirit of the Directions. They should always seek guidance from Magistrates HR at the Judicial Office (details of whom are circulated regularly) about any queries regarding the application of these Directions to a particular issue.

Since commencement of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, the Lady Chief Justice has been responsible in legislation for the appointment of magistrates.  The Lady Chief Justice (in accordance with Schedule 13 of the Act) has delegated her power to appoint magistrates to the Senior Presiding Judge. The Lord Chancellor holds joint responsibility with the Lady Chief Justice for others matters pertaining to magistrates, including disciplinary responsibility.

This document can be accessed below. Hard-copies will only be made available in exceptional circumstances. Any requests for hard-copies, or for copies in alternative formats, should be made to the Magistrates HR Team.

Standard Directions

Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in London, Midlands, North East regions and Wales

Part 1

Lord Chancellor’s Directions for Advisory Committees – Introduction and Part 1 (PDF)

Appendix 1A – HMCTS parameters for recruitment activity (PDF)

Appendix 1B (Part 1) – Advisory Committee application guidance (Word doc)

Appendix 1B (Part 2) – Advisory Committee application form (Word doc)

Appendix 1C (Part 1) – Reference for applicant for non-magistrate member referees (PDF)

Appendix 1C (Part 2) – Guidance for referees (Word doc)

Appendix 1D – Diversity monitoring form (PDF)

Appendix 1E – Assessment form (Word doc)

Appendix 1F – Appointments confirmatory statement (Word doc)

Appendix 1G – Declaration Register (Word doc)

Appendix 1H – Register of advisory committee members interests (PDF)

Appendix 1I – Template of advertising Advisory Committee vacancies (PDF)

Appendix 1J – Handling complaints against Advisory Committee members, Chairs and Secretaries (PDF)

Part 2

Lord Chancellor’s Directions for Advisory Committees – Part 2 (PDF)

Appendix 2A – Guidance on eligibility for the criminal court (Word doc)

Appendix 2B – Guidance on eligibility for the family court (PDF)

Part 3

Lord Chancellor’s Directions for Advisory Committees – Part 3 (PDF)

Appendix 3A – Guidance for the recruitment of Welsh Language-essential magistrates (Word doc)

Appendix 3B – Guidance for referees following an application for appointment as a magistrate (PDF)

Part 4

Lord Chancellor’s Directions for Advisory Committees Part 4 (PDF)

Appendix 4A – Declaration and undertaking form (Word doc)

Part 5

Lord Chancellor’s Directions for Advisory Committees – Part 5 (PDF)

Appendix 5A – Application transfer to another local justice area (Word doc)

Appendix 5B – Bench chair’s reference for transfer to another local justice area (Word doc)

Appendix 5C – Approval or refusal of transfer requests – Bench Chairs Decision (Word doc)

Appendix 5D – Transfers and re-appointments checklist for Bench and TDC chairs (Word doc)

Appendix 5E – Application to Return from Supplemental List to the Active List (Word doc)

Pathways Directions

Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace: For regions undertaking Pathways – North West, South East and South West

Please note: Advisory Committees in the North West, South East, and South West regions should continue using Parts 2, 4, and 5 of the Directions, along with all annexes.

Pathways Part 1 – Advisory committees (PDF)

Pathways Part 3 – The selection process for magistrates (PDF)