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Law vocabulary · Courts & Judges

Magistrate

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈmædʒɪstreɪt/nounCommon term

In law, magistrate means: A judicial officer who deals with less serious cases; in England and Wales usually a trained volunteer without a law degree, in the US a judge who assists federal district judges.

In Turkish: sulh hakimi, alt derece mahkemesi hakimi

How it is used

In England and Wales magistrates sit in 'magistrates' courts', usually as a bench of two or three, advised on the law by a legal adviser; most criminal cases start there. Professional district judges also sit in these courts. In other countries the word may simply mean a junior judge.

Example sentences

  1. The magistrates fined him and ordered him to pay compensation.

  2. He has served as a magistrate in his local court for eight years.

Common collocations

  • magistrates' court
  • lay magistrate
  • magistrate judge
  • appear before magistrates
  • judgeA public official who runs a court hearing, listens to both sides and decides the case, or tells the jury how the law applies.
  • benchThe judges of a court considered as a group, or the raised seat where a judge sits in court.
  • courtA place or institution where judges hear legal disputes and decide them according to the law; the word can also mean the judges themselves.
  • court of first instanceThe court where a case is first heard and decided on the facts and the law, before any appeal; often called the trial court.
  • tribunalA body set up to hear and decide particular kinds of disputes, such as employment or tax cases, often less formal than an ordinary court; also an arbitration panel.

More terms: Courts & Judges

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.