Our Truro team recently welcomed Hannah Bondi, Policy and Research Officer at the Magistrates’ Association. She met with our Cornwall Coordinators, along with some local magistrates, to discuss the challenges magistrates face in Cornwall and the impact of rurality on the courts. In the light of the recent call for everyday heroes to step forward as magistrates, she said:
It was a pleasure to meet with CASS+ and learn about all the important work they do to support people at court. Their dedication to this work plays a key role in strengthening access to justice and paths to rehabilitation for court users.
The need is great
The need is great. Our system does not always address the root causes of crime. People get caught in the system. Things escalate. By the time they realise how bad it’s become, they’re in court, at risk of losing everything. This is where CASS+ steps in, to help with the reasons for people being at court. In Cornwall, it often boils down to the need for food, a home and employment. These are the underlying reasons for people facing court.
Call for everyday heroes to step forward as magistrates
Rural isolation, loneliness and depression are at an all-time high. Hence, our courts are busier than ever. As a result, the government is calling for everyday heroes to step forward as magistrates.
The Magistrates’ Association
The Magistrates’ Association is the only membership body and independent voice for magistrates. We invited Hannah to share her thoughts:
‘Firstly, the magistracy is undergoing once in a generation change. Most importantly, with legislation in parliament looking to increase magistrates’ sentencing powers by up to two years, and the government looking to recruit thousands of new magistrates in the next few years, magistrates’ courts are at the forefront of debates in a way not seen in decades.
Magistrates’ courts currently deal with over 90% of criminal cases and are the backbone of our justice system. Importantly, magistrates themselves are trained volunteers – chosen based on qualities like sound judgement, good character and integrity among others. In Devon and Cornwall, magistrates’ courts are spread across the region from Taunton to Exeter to Truro. Serving the communities around them, they deal with a wide range of crimes, including shoplifting, assault and burglary to name a few.
At the beginning of this year, the government called for ‘everyday heroes from all backgrounds’ to apply to become a magistrate as part of an ambitious drive to see the magistracy increase from 14,500 to 21,000 by 2029. This is part of wider reforms to tackle the growing case backlogs which are leaving many waiting months, even years, for their cases to be heard. Unfortunately, despite an overall national decrease, Devon and Cornwall saw an 11.7% increase in reported crime between 2024 and 2025 with a likely knock-on effect on cases waiting to be heard in magistrates’ courts.
The need for everyday heroes
Now, more than ever in recent memory, the magistracy needs everyday heroes to see justice delivered, rather than delayed. People who become magistrates come from all walks of life. The magistracy is open to those who are committed to fulfilling their civic duty and seeing justice done impartially and fairly. As a result, this is not about someone’s employment or family background.
At the Magistrates’ Association, we represent over 11,000 members and are the only independent voice of the magistracy in England and Wales. We support our members through campaigns, policy and learning tools, and we regularly hold webinars for new and applying magistrates. We stand alongside our members throughout their journey to becoming and being magistrates – making sure they are supported and their voices are heard.
Call for everyday heroes to step forward as magistrates
The government is calling for everyday heroes to step forward as magistrates. Finally, you can find out more about the process on our website if you are interested in becoming a magistrate.’
Contact details
The CASS+ team works hard to reduce repeat offending and divert away from crime towards more settled lifestyles. If you need support through court, find your local hub here.