... but by 1361 they had been duties such as control of weights and measures and responsibility of the highways. They have developed a significantly since then and they are now the backbone of the British legal system, dealing with about 98% of cases in the UK. There are some 30,000 (approximately) lay magistrates in the UK that are actively in service aged between 18-65. They must live within 15 miles of the area they are commissioned to and do at least 26 half days a year. They aren't paid for service apart from traveling expenses and meals. They aren't legally trained but they are given training in making impartial and structured decisions. When they are in court they sit in threes as they aren't legally trained. A single magistrate can make a mistake but it is much more unlikely for two or three to make the same mistake and thus giving ...

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