How would you become a magistrate?

[KitHannay]

Hi all,

I have an ancestor called James Robinson who in 1909 was appointed a magistrate when he was 54. He lived in Killinchy, Co. Down. I'm wondering would he have had to have training for this? Would he have gone to a college, and if so, what one? What would his duties have been? Would you expect that someone with that job would have been in Belfast a lot or would he have worked locally?

[Sinann]

They were appointed by the Lord Lieutenant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_magistrate

[Elwyn Soutter]

The Northern Whig of 30th November 1909 mentions that James Robinson’s flax mill in Balloo caught fire and there was extensive  damage to the building. Fortunately he was insured. The article describes him as a JP. (Justice of the Peace).

Belfast Newsletter of  27th June 1910 mentions that he had allowed his grounds to be used for the local agricultural show. It also describes him as a JP (as opposed to an RM - Resident Magistrate).

JPs were not  legally trained. They were respected members of the local community who were authorised to sign police search warrants and other official documents. They didn’t get paid but received an honorarium each year for their services.

The role as a JP was normally over and above their “day” job.

[RJ_Paton]

When a JP was required to sit in Court he would have been assisted/accompanied by a qualified solicitor to advise him on the legalities of the situation and any legal penalties etc.