A Magistrate is a civil officer who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offences and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.
Here is How To Become A Magistrate In Ghana
Applicants must be Ghanaians enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers in Ghana.
No legal qualifications are required to become a magistrate; you will receive all the training you need.
In Ghana, the Career Magistrate Programme is a two-year programme for non-lawyers to be trained as Career Magistrates to occupy vacant positions in district courts.
The programme is for graduates with a minimum of three years of working experience usually sponsored by the government.
It is also in accordance with the Court Amendment Act, which requires that district courts are set up in each district to bring justice closer to the people.
After practising as a lawyer for at least five years, you can become a Circuit Court Judge.
Do magistrates get expenses?
Expenses can cover certain costs, including travel and subsistence where required.
Magistrates who suffer a loss of earnings as a result of their duties can claim a loss allowance, usually at a set rate; evidence of financial loss must be provided before magistrates can make a claim.
Is a judge the same as a magistrate?
Judges and Magistrates are responsible for deciding cases by interpreting and applying the law.
Magistrates often have a narrow scope of authority and they hear short and less complex matters. Judges, on the other hand, have great authority over matters and generally hear larger, more complex cases.
What do magistrates wear?
High Court and District Court judges wear black gowns. Magistrates do not wear gowns.
Can a magistrate become a judge?
More experienced magistrates also deal with cases in the youth court (involving defendants aged ten to 18) or with children’s cases in the family court.
In addition, magistrates can sit with a legally qualified circuit judge in the Crown Court during appeals.
Are magistrates legally qualified?
No legal qualifications are required to become a magistrate; you will receive all the training you need.
There are a small number of jobs that could prevent you from being a magistrate due to a conflict of interest, for example, if you are a police officer you cannot sit in criminal courts.