MAGISTRATES have always had a bit of a fuddy duddy image… but now it is the iPad generation which will be making the decisions.

When you typically think of a magistrate, the image of a retired, middle aged white man comes to mind, but now they are looking to invigorate the judicial system by attracting younger men and women.

While decisions in court will always be made by people, the process has certainly moved into the 21st century and boast impressive technology – including iPads.

Tony Le Masurier has been been a magistrate for ten years and says that the role changed over time, including the diversity.

He said: “The sheer diversity of the magistrate population is remarkable, I have met and worked with teachers, ex-police officers, an electrician, a museum manager, a Telecoms worker, people who run their own business and public sector workers.

“They all have stories to tell in the common room, and are a great source of information about life in general.”

The courts are now introducing new technology to help along the way and it is making a big difference.

Mr Le Masurier said: “I suppose the biggest change recently – and which will continue – is the introduction and development of technology to improve support for magistrates and generate more efficient ways of working.

“We have thrown away the old sentencing guideline books and now use iPads - which are available in court, and training in their use is given. More electronic working is inevitable, but the key decisions will continue to be made by people.”

Although some would argue that only certain people become magistrates, the profession is now seeing more and more people from different backgrounds.

But why would someone choose to sit as a magistrate? Talking about what drew him to the profession, Mr Le Masurier said he was searching for something to give back to the community.

He said: “Having travelled extensively on business for decades, I wanted to do something locally, which gave me a number of options.

“I had always admired our justice system, as it has been carefully developed over many centuries and is based on what are fundamentally very fair principles. This is not the case in all countries in our modern world.

“I talked to several friends, and I applied. Happily I was accepted, and began sitting as a magistrate about a decade ago.”

All criminal cases begin in a magistrates’ court, meaning that no day is the same.

Mr Le Masurier has said that what surprised him was just how much work is involved.

He said: “What has surprised me is the scale and scope of our work. Magistrates deal with over 90 per cent of all criminal cases, and all first appearances of defendants who come before us.

“The training is first rate, and we are well supported by clear guidelines that are designed to reduce the risk of inconsistency across benches.

“I have also been surprised at the diversity and different contributions made by the many magistrates I work with.

Talking about why someone would choose to become a magistrate, Mr Masurier said: “The essential thing is to want to do it. It is about service to justice and our community.

“To be a magistrate, you must be fair minded and not be prejudiced against any group or section of our diverse community. And, as we have to retire at 70, ideally they need to be below 65 to make it worth applying.”

All magistrates are volunteers, receiving only reimbursement of travelling and some minor costs and can give punishments including fines, unpaid work in the community and prison for up to six months or 12 months for more than one crime.

To be a magistrate, no formal qualifications are necessary, although you do need to be in good health, have a good character, and be socially aware. Visit gov.uk/become-magistrate