This question below came from the Independant pop-poll Can you pass a UK citizenship test? Most young people can’t
And to be honest, if you had never dealt with magistrates or the legal system before it’s quite easy to see how many would have got this question wrong.
It is absolutely true though. If you find yourself having to call on the courts, to protect your child’s interests say, it ultimately all comes down to the decisions of these unpaid and unqualified individuals.
These people could come from all walks of life, if you have time to spare and don’t use a hearing aid it could be any of us. It’s also advisable not to be a criminal, or a police officer, and being able to communicate and sit for long periods are all part of the job description too.
Given the above you might expect a lot of diversity in magistrates, and that would be a good thing given they have to deal with cases of modern life in our ever changing society.
Unfortunately speaking from my own experience in Staines earlier this year that is not the case at all. All three magistrates were white women in their sixties.
I had to apply to the court to stop my ex-partner from moving my daughter from her school of three years and therefore reducing our contact, I lost on the basis that the mother would be able to do homework and extra interventions with her after school.
The court order gave lip service to there being “no gender bias” but I for one have my doubts given all the evidence that was put forward, enough even the mother’s barrister admitted we had the stronger case for my daughter’s well being after the initial hearings. It’s sickening too as since the move my daughter has joined after school clubs, has play dates and none of the planned interventions even started.
I might follow up on this post, there is quite a lot to be said about the magistrate’s decision and advice I received from Citizens Advice and solicitors. Not to mention a personal rant about the system and costs. But for now, #justsaying