More than 3,800 magistrates have been recruited under the government’s drive to strengthen local justice in England and Wales. However, with outstanding court caseloads reaching record levels, questions remain over whether recruitment alone can ease the pressure on the justice system.
More than 3,800 new magistrates have been recruited in England and Wales since the current Labour government took office, the Ministry of Justice announced on 23 October 2026. The recruitment drive is intended to increase court capacity and speed up justice, but the latest official figures show that 380,230 cases remained open in magistrates’ courts at the end of June, the highest level in the comparable statistical series.
Thousands recruited in major recruitment campaign
The Ministry of Justice says almost 1,500 people were appointed as magistrates during the first six months of 2026, nearly twice the number recruited during the equivalent period in 2025.
The increase follows a £4 million national recruitment campaign using television and social media to encourage people from different communities and backgrounds to volunteer.
The government aims to increase the number of serving magistrates to 21,000 by the end of the 2028/29 financial year.
Minister for Courts and Legal Services Sarah Sackman KC MP welcomed the announcement, saying:
A record number of people have answered the call to serve their communities as magistrates, marking a major milestone in our drive to strengthen justice.
She said the additional magistrates would help cases progress through the courts, reduce pressure on the justice system and improve access to justice for local communities.
The government has also highlighted the diversity of recent appointments. Women accounted for 55% of new magistrates appointed during 2025/26, while more than one-third were under the age of 50.
Court caseload reaches 380,230
Despite the rise in recruitment, the latest criminal court statistics illustrate the scale of the challenge.
At the end of June 2026, magistrates’ courts in England and Wales had 380,230 open cases.
That represented:
- A 9% increase from 347,365 in June 2025.
- A 2% increase from 371,980 in March 2026.
- The highest open caseload recorded since the comparable series began in 2019.
During April to June 2026, magistrates’ courts received 365,357 cases but completed 357,064.
The figures demonstrate that cases are continuing to enter the system faster than they are being concluded.
Importantly, an open caseload does not mean that every case is delayed. The figures include recently received cases, complex proceedings and cases awaiting completion.
Nevertheless, the continuing increase places additional pressure on court capacity.
The official statistics also show that the median time between charge and completion in magistrates’ courts stood at 50 days in the latest quarter.
Recruitment figures do not tell the whole story
Although the number of newly recruited magistrates has risen sharply, some existing magistrates are retiring or leaving the service.
According to the 2026 judicial diversity statistics, there were 15,259 serving magistrates on 1 April 2026.
That compared with 14,636 a year earlier, a net increase of 623.
During the 2025/26 financial year, 1,657 new magistrates were appointed, but around 1,000 left the magistracy.
The distinction matters because increasing recruitment does not automatically produce an equivalent increase in the overall workforce.
In July, the Magistrates’ Association welcomed the additional appointments but warned that retaining experienced magistrates must receive greater attention.
The association has called for improvements to expenses arrangements, greater flexibility in court sitting schedules and better support for volunteers.
It argues that financial pressures and the practical difficulties of combining magistrate duties with employment or caring responsibilities can discourage people from continuing in the role.
MPs question whether recruitment target is achievable
Parliament’s Justice Committee has also raised concerns about the government’s plans.
In a report published in June 2026, MPs described the target of 21,000 magistrates by 2029 as unrealistic, citing previous recruitment shortfalls, difficulties retaining volunteers and a shortage of qualified legal advisers.
Legal advisers play an essential role in magistrates’ courts by advising magistrates on relevant legislation and ensuring correct legal procedures are followed.
Without sufficient legal advisers, increasing the number of magistrates may not translate into a corresponding increase in the number of court hearings.
However, in its response published on 8 October, the Ministry of Justice maintained that recruitment was on track.
It highlighted 655 magistrate appointments between April and June 2026, compared with 384 during the same period in 2025 and 215 in 2024.
The department also outlined plans to recruit at least 100 trainee legal advisers annually over three years, while acknowledging that retaining qualified advisers remained a risk to court capacity.
New technology trialled in seven courtrooms
Alongside recruitment, the government has announced a new audio-recording pilot across seven magistrates’ courtrooms.
The technology is intended to produce more reliable records of proceedings and potentially improve the handling of appeals.
The pilot forms part of wider proposals to reform the criminal courts following Lord Leveson’s review of the justice system.
Among the proposed changes is a new permission stage for appeals from magistrates’ courts, replacing the existing automatic right to appeal in cases covered by the reforms.
The government argues that such changes could reduce unnecessary hearings and free up court time.
However, the proposals should not be confused with existing law. The reforms remain subject to the legislative process.
The wider Courts and Tribunals Bill entered the House of Lords on 14 October after the government removed proposals that would have restricted jury trials.
What do magistrates actually do?
Magistrates are unpaid volunteers who make judicial decisions in courts across England and Wales.
They play an important role in criminal and family justice, with almost all criminal cases beginning in a magistrates’ court.
Typically, three magistrates sit together to hear a case, supported by a legally qualified adviser.
Magistrates can deal with offences including minor assaults, theft and motoring offences. They can impose fines, community penalties and, within their sentencing powers, custodial sentences.
More serious criminal cases are transferred to the Crown Court.
Magistrates may also sit in family courts, where they help determine cases involving children, parental arrangements and other family matters.
Could you become a magistrate?
The government’s recruitment drive is open to people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Applicants do not need formal legal qualifications or previous legal experience. Training is provided.
Under the official eligibility requirements, applicants must generally:
- Be aged between 18 and 74.
- Demonstrate good judgement, fairness and reliability.
- Be able to assess evidence and reach reasoned decisions.
- Commit to at least 13 full days of court service each year.
- Meet character and suitability requirements.
Magistrates are normally expected to serve for at least five years and must retire at 75.
Although the position is unpaid, eligible volunteers can claim certain expenses and allowances, including support for lost earnings.
Employers are legally required to allow reasonable time off for magistrate duties, although that time does not necessarily have to be paid.
Further information about becoming a magistrate is available through the government recruitment website.
Will more magistrates mean faster justice?
The recruitment figures represent a substantial increase in the number of people entering the magistracy, offering the prospect of greater capacity within local courts.
However, the latest statistics show that the number of open cases is continuing to grow.
Recruitment is only one part of the challenge. Retaining experienced magistrates, providing sufficient legal advisers, maintaining suitable court facilities and improving case management will also affect how quickly cases can be completed.
For victims, defendants and others waiting for their cases to be resolved, the practical measure of success will be whether the additional resources result in shorter waiting times and more cases being concluded.
The coming years will show whether the recruitment drive can deliver not just more magistrates, but a measurable improvement in the speed and effectiveness of justice across England and Wales.
