Training

If you are recommended for appointment as a Justice of the Peace you will undertake a specially designed introductory training programme. This will help you develop further the skills and knowledge you will need to carry out your duties as a Justice of the Peace. Once appointed and "on the bench" you also need to be able to commit to a minimum of twelve hours training per year. This ensures that you are able to keep your skills up-to-date. Your training will include:

• Understanding the framework of justice within which Justices of the Peace work
• Understanding basic law and procedures
• How to think and act judicially, and maintain independence in all decision-making
• Communicating effectively
• How to work effectively as a Chairperson and as a team member.

Who will provide training?

The Judicial Studies Committee is a body within the Scottish judiciary which arranges and delivers training for sheriffs and for judges in the High court and Court of Session. Based in Edinburgh, it now also provides training for Justices of the Peace. Most training for Justices of the Peace will be delivered locally through the Sheriffdom Justices of the Peace Training Committees. They will organise local events in the sheriffdom so as to minimise travelling for Justices of the Peace. In addition each sheriffdom will hold an annual training conference, which would most likely be held at a weekend, probably a Saturday only.

The JSC website contains written material for Justices of the Peace. It plans to have e-learning materials to enable Justices of the Peace to keep up with new developments and areas of interest at home.

Induction training

Most Induction Training will be held locally and much will consist of watching experienced Justices of the Peace dealing with cases in court. New Justices of the Peace will also receive talks on the basics of criminal law and procedure and the functions of the various agencies and individuals who are involved in the work of the Justice of the Peace court. Towards the end of the local Induction Course JSC will arrange a two day or week-end course to assist new Justices of the Peace to hone their judicial skills. These courses will be run as locally as possible for the Justices of the Peace to attend and need not be residential if the Justice of the Peace has circumstances, which preclude attendance at a residential event.

Ongoing training

JSC will organise an Annual Conference for Justices of the Peace, which hopefully each Justice of the Peace will attend at least once every five years. In addition, the Annual Conference will concentrate on the judicial skills required of Justices of the Peace, allowing local training to concentrate on matters of local interest.