In England and Wales, magistrates (/ˈmædʒɪstrət/; Welsh: ynad) are highly trained volunteers and members of the judiciary who deal with a wide range of criminal and civil proceedings. They are also known as Justices of the Peace. In the adult criminal court, magistrates have equal sentencing powers to district judges (formerly stipendiary magistrates) and deliver verdicts on both "summary" and "either way" offences that carry up to twelve months in prison, or an unlimited fine. Magistrates also sit in the family court where they preside over disputes that involve children, and in the youth court, which deals with criminal matters involving young people aged 10–17. Established in the 14th century, the magistracy is a key part of the judiciary of England and Wales, and it is a role underpinned by the principles of 'justice by one's peers'.
Magistrates typically sit as a bench of three, known as a panel, mixed in gender, age and ethnicity where possible, to bring a broad experience of life to the bench. They can sit alone to preside over warrant applications, such as granting authorisation or deal with uncontested matters heard under the single justice procedure. All members of the bench have equal decision-making powers, but only the chairman, known as the Presiding Justice (PJ), speaks in court and presides over proceedings. Magistrates are not required to have legal qualification; they are assisted in court by a legal adviser, who is a qualified solicitor or barrister, and will ensure that the court is properly directed regarding the law.
