Oral Question·Ministry of Justice
“What steps his Department is taking to recruit magistrates.”
Tabled: 28 January 2026Answered: 3 February 2026
Asked by
Lee Barron
Labour — Corby and East Northamptonshire
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Justice
Answer from Hansard
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)
We are accelerating magistrate recruitment to meet future demand. Trailblazing reforms in three regions are streamlining the process, reducing the time from application to appointment, and improving candidate experience. These reforms will shape a 2026 national roll-out. They are supported by work done with the judiciary to speed up onboarding and ensure that new magistrates sit sooner.