Magistrates’ employer recognition scheme

A magistrates’ employer recognition scheme has recently been launched by Luke Rigg, Lead Diversity and Community Relations Magistrate for England and Wales.

The new scheme commenced in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in March. The initiative is facilitated by the two counties’ Chambers of Commerce and is supported by the Lord Lieutenants and local Benches.

The scheme encourages employers to support the role and work of magistrates and offers a tiering system for employers depending on the level of assistance they provide. This includes pledging to encourage new magistrates and to promote the role, provide additional paid leave days, and even implement formal policies.

If successful, the intention is to roll out the system more widely to cover other counties across England and Wales. It is hoped that encouraging employers to support the magistrate role would support the ongoing recruitment drive.

Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Luke said: “I’m very excited to launch this new magistrates’ employer recognition scheme in England and Wales. The scheme will rightly reward employers

Hertfordshire County Council have recently been awarded silver status in the Magistrates Employer Recognition Scheme, here is what Owen Mapley, Chief Executive at Hertfordshire County Council had to say about it: that commit to support magistrates in a variety of ways. It is really important that we improve the diversity of magistrates – including recruiting and retaining more employed magistrates – and this scheme will help deliver that objective in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. If the pilot is successful, we hope to explore ways of rolling it out nationwide.”

Magistrates play a crucial role in the justice system and having supportive employers who help colleagues balance their work with the responsibilities of serving their community as a Magistrate is invaluable. At Herts County Council we are delighted to secure this recognition and encourage all local employers to consider what they can do to encourage and support colleagues who may wish to be a Magistrate.

Any employer in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire can nominate themselves for an award.

For more information, please visit: www.hertschamber.com/mers