Лекция: Judges in Great Britain

In Britain, the vast majority of judges (that is, the people who decide what should be done with people who commit crimes) are unpaid. They are called «Magistrates», or «Justices of the Peace» (JPs). They are ordinary citizens who are selected not because they have any legal training but because they have «sound common sense» and understand their fellow human beings. They give up time voluntarily.

A small proportion of judges are not Magistrates. They are called «High Court Judges» and they deal with the most serious crimes, such as those for which the criminal might be sent to prison for more than a year. High Court Judges, unlike Magistrates, are paid salaries by the State and have considerable legal training.

Magistrates are selected by special committees in every town and district. Nobody, not even the Magistrates themselves, knows who is on the special committee in their area. The committee tries to draw Magistrates from as wide a variety of professions and social classes as possible.

Topical Vocabulary

Judge – судья

To commit a crime – совершить преступление

Legal training – юридическая подготовка

High Court Judges – судья высшего суда

Committee – комитет, комиссия

To select – выбирать

To deal with – иметь дело (заниматься)