The Ministry of Justice is launching its biggest campaign to date to recruit magistrates, challenging perceptions of who can do the role by showing that the skills needed can be found in people from all walks of life.
“You’ve got the Makings of a Magistrate”, devised by Wonderhood Studios, is based on the fact that many applicants struggle to see themselves in the role, with the responsibility of becoming a magistrate often leading to self-doubt.
Meanwhile, assumptions that the role requires legal expertise, qualifications or a particular background often create a barrier before people even consider applying. The campaign is part of the Government’s drive to build a 21,000-strong magistracy in 2028/29.
In reality, magistrates receive training and are supported in the role, serving as part of a panel of three. What matters are qualities many people already demonstrate in their everyday lives: sound judgement, fairness, empathy, listening, problem-solving and the ability to work with others.
“You’ve got the Makings of a Magistrate” is spearheaded by a 30-second film which follows Tala as she prepares for an interview to become a magistrate with help from her boyfriend.
As he quizzes her on what she thinks the role demands, seemingly ordinary moments from Tala’s life reveal that she has been developing the relevant qualities all along. The film moves forward to reveal her confidently sitting alongside fellow magistrates in court, before closing with the line: “An extraordinary role. Done by someone like you.”
A series of shorter films expands the idea by focusing on individual attributes including patience, teamwork, making tough decisions and being good with people. Together, they aim to demonstrate that while being a magistrate carries significant responsibility, the people capable of taking it on may be far more familiar than audiences expect
The campaign will run across TV, VOD, online video, social and radio throughout the UK. Media is handled by WPP 650, with production by Kode Media, editing by Work Editorial and sound and post-production by Rascal Studios.
MoJ deputy director of communications James Evans said: “Too many people assume becoming a magistrate isn’t for them. In reality, magistrates come from all walks of life. This campaign is about helping more people recognise that the qualities they already have are exactly what we need. We want to encourage them to step forward and help deliver justice in communities across the country.”
Wonderhood Studios senior creative director Steve Hawthorne added: “There’s something inherently extraordinary about becoming a magistrate, and that can make it very easy to assume it must take an extraordinary kind of person to do it. But the qualities that make a great magistrate are being exercised by ordinary people every day. ‘You’ve got the Makings of a Magistrate’ is about helping people join those dots and realise they might be far better suited to the role than they think.”
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