The term magistrate is used in a variety of systems of governments and laws to refer to a civilian officer who administers the law.
What qualities should a magistrate have?
19.2 The six key qualities sought in those applying to become magistrates are, good character, understanding and communication, social awareness, maturity and sound temperament, sound judgment and commitment and reliability
What is a local magistrate?
A local official whose authority is limited to whatever has been granted by statute or specified in the appointment. 2. In local or state courts, a justice of the peace or other judicial officer who has strictly limited authority and jurisdiction to hear certain cases, often criminal cases or small claims.
What is an example of a magistrate?
The definition of a magistrate is a civil or lay judge or other official who is responsible for administering and enforcing the laws, usually by holding hearings on minor offenses. A judge that hears traffic ticket cases and fines people is an example of a magistrate.
What does it mean to see a magistrate?
a minor judicial officer, as a justice of the peace or the judge of a police court, having jurisdiction to try minor criminal cases and to conduct preliminary examinations of persons charged with serious crimes.
How to Become A Magistrate In South Africa
Career Requirement
Education | Bachelor’s degree, Juris Doctor degree (law degree), pass state bar exam and experience in legal matters |
Job Skills | Highly developed organization and communication skills, critical thinking, and time management |
Median Salary (2019)* | $136,910 annually (for judges, magistrate judges and magistrates) |
Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 3% (for judges, magistrate judges and magistrates) |
Required Education to Become A Magistrate In South Africa
A bachelor’s degree and experience in legal matters is the minimum requirement for a magistrate position. In practice, the magistrate will have completed a law degree (Juris Doctor) program. A J.D. degree program typically requires completion of two to three years of law school beyond the bachelor’s degree plus successfully passing the state bar exam.
Skills Required to Become A Magistrate In South Africa
A magistrate position requires utilization of advanced communication and organizational skills. The person who is skilled in active listening, time management, critical thinking, reading, and writing is likely to be successful as a magistrate.
Career and Economic Outlook to Become A Magistrate In South Africa
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary among judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates was R 2069134.26 in May 2019.
The same source predicted that the employment of for judges, magistrate judges and magistrates will grow by only 3% between 2019 and 2029. Competition for the jobs that open is stiff, since there is a great deal of prestige in sitting on the bench.
Alternate Career Options
Similar career options within this field include:
Arbitrator, Mediator and Conciliator
These positions normally require at least a bachelor’s degree along with relevant work experience, although some require a master’s degree or a law degree. These professionals work outside of the court system to attempt resolution of conflicts between parties.
They could expect faster than average employment growth of 8% during the 2019-2029 decade, and these positions paid an annual median salary of R 966180.36 in May of 2019, according to the BLS.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
Paralegals and legal assistants normally earn an associate’s degree in paralegal studies; those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field may earn a postsecondary certificate in paralegal studies.
While assisting lawyers, these professionals organize and maintain files, write documents and perform legal research.
They earned an annual median wage of R 781951.70 in 2019 and could anticipate a much faster than average increase in available positions, with 10% growth between 2019 and 2029,
How are magistrates appointed in South Africa?
A Magistrates are appointed by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services on the advise of the Magistrates Commission.
How long does it take to become a magistrate In South Africa?
A magistrate undergoes mandatory training of about 3 and a half days before sitting in court, and will be allocated a mentor for their first year. After a magistrate has sat for 12 months, they will be regularly appraised by specially-trained magistrates.
How can I become a magistrate after LLB In South Africa?
To become a Magistrate one has to first possess a degree in L.L.B.
Once degree in hand and after the successful completion of the course every graduate has to compete for State Judicial Services Exam held by respective state governments from time to time.
What are the disadvantages of magistrates In South Africa?
Disadvantages
Prosecution Biased- As untrained , they may side with the police.
Inconsistent-May forget sentences due to working only 13 days a year.
Case Hardened-May judge defendants on a case before.
Unrepresentative of society- Only people with free time.
Is a judge and a magistrate the same In South Africa?
They can hear different types of cases. Judges generally hear larger, more complex cases while magistrates hear smaller matters such as petty crime and traffic offenses. Magistrates have a smaller area of jurisdiction such as a city or county. There is a difference between the power given to a judge over a magistrate.
What subjects are needed to become a magistrate in South Africa?
In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. Judges preside over criminal, civil and constitutional matters in the High Courts, Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
What qualities should a magistrate have In South Africa?
19.2 The six key qualities sought in those applying to become magistrates are, good character, understanding and communication, social awareness, maturity and sound temperament, sound judgment and commitment and reliability (see section 6).
Who appoints magistrates to their role In South Africa?
The Senior Presiding Judge appoints magistrates on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice. You do not need legal training or formal qualifications to become a magistrate. In court, magistrates usually sit as a panel of three an experienced chairman and two ‘wingers’
What is a local magistrate?
A local official whose authority is limited to whatever has been granted by statute or specified in the appointment. 2. In local or state courts, a justice of the peace or other judicial officer who has strictly limited authority and jurisdiction to hear certain cases, often criminal cases or small claims.
What is an example of a magistrate In South Africa?
The definition of a magistrate is a civil or lay judge or other official who is responsible for administering and enforcing the laws, usually by holding hearings on minor offenses. A judge that hears traffic ticket cases and fines people is an example of a magistrate.
How many types of magistrates are there In South Africa?
Candidates here should also know that there are basically two kinds of magistrates Judicial Magistrates and Executive Magistrates