The Magistrates Association: Annual General Meeting 2008

In her outgoing speech as Chairman of the Magistrates’ Association, Cindy Barnett looked at the vital work done by the magistracy.

She also warned of changes which could undermine trust in magistrates’ courts:

“Society needs a fair and just court system – cutting corners to the extent that this is damaged will cause irreparable damage to public confidence in the system. It is wrong to avoid the courts because of money. It is wrong to have inadequate funding of the courts. It is wrong to place fresh burdens on everyone when the basic service needs stable support.”