Lay Magistrates Debate

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Department: Scotland Office
Monday 20th February 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Keen of Elie Portrait Lord Keen of Elie
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Magistrate remains a sought after role, and competition for vacancies tends to be strong. Advisory committees employ a range of techniques to reach out into their communities for applications to the Bench. This can and does include advertising in public places such as libraries, community centres and the local press. At present, there are no plans to put forward further financial incentives.

Lord Pannick Portrait Lord Pannick (CB)
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My Lords, in light of the concern about the age of magistrates, will the Minister look again at the unreasonably low retirement age of 70 for magistrates?

Lord Keen of Elie Portrait Lord Keen of Elie
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I remind the noble Lord that the unreasonably low retirement age of 70 applies also to justices of the Supreme Court.