Tottenham magistrate encourages more ethnic minorities to sign up for the bench

It comes as the Ministry of Justice launches a recruitment drive

A Tottenham magistrate is encouraging other ethnic minorities to sign up and “give something back”.

“If you have ever thought that people like you do not become magistrates, I am proof that you can,” says Gwilwyn Wright JP, who is encouraging people from all walks of life to become a magistrate.

It is part of a national recruitment drive launched by the Ministry of Justice, which aims to show that many people already have what it takes for the role.

The campaign highlights the skills a lot of people use every day – such as fair judgement, empathy, problem-solving and teamwork – and shows that these qualities, rather than a legal background or experience, are at the heart of being a magistrate.

The campaign is part of the government’s drive to build a 21,000-strong magistracy in 2028/29.

As of 1st April 2026, ethnic minority individuals constituted 14% of all magistrates. While this up from 11% ten years ago, it’s still proportionately less than the general population, with around 18% of people in the UK having minority ethnic backgrounds.

Gwilwyn is the son of Jamaican migrants who arrived in Britain in the 1950s. He attended local schools and excelled at sport, even playing football for Tottenham schoolboys, before he embarked on a successful career spanning more than four decades in information technology and finance.

After years of considering public service, he applied almost ten years ago to become a magistrate, as he approached retirement, and has sat on both adult and youth cases and taken on leadership and mentoring roles.

Gwilwyn also visits schools to speak about offending, is a school governor and has supported community wellbeing projects for disadvantaged children.

He says: “Growing up I would never have imagined I would one day become a magistrate, let alone take on a leadership role. My journey shows that when opportunity meets determination, barriers can be broken.

“For much of my career, I was the only black person in the room. That experience taught me the importance of being visible, speaking up and creating opportunities for those who come after you.

“When young people walk into a courtroom and see someone who looks like them sitting on the panel, it sends a powerful message: there is a place for you here too.”

Gwilwyn said he was inspired to become a magistrate after witnessing inequality around the world and asking himself what he could do to make a difference, and says being a magistrate is an opportunity to demonstrate that the justice system belonged to everyone.

He adds: “Fairness is not just about following rules. It is about having the courage to challenge assumptions and make sure everyone is treated equally. We all have unconscious biases. The important thing is recognising it, questioning it and making sure it never stands in the way of justice.

“Becoming a magistrate was my chance to give something back. It is the most rewarding role I have ever undertaken. You do not need a legal background to become a magistrate. You need integrity, common sense, compassion and a commitment to your community.”

Magistrates currently hear around 90% of criminal cases. Magistrates volunteer for a minimum of 13 days a year, and receive full training and support from a legal adviser.

Find out more about becoming a magistrate:
Visit becomeamagistrate.uk

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