A Magistrate’s Journey

As a tiny baby I was adopted into a loving, stable Christian family. I did not understand what a privilege this was for many years. As a youngster, I had a strong sense of right and wrong, equality, inclusion and ultimately justice. I studied law as part of my Business HND. However, my career was not to be in the law but within public service. 

Many years within DWP enabled me to support vulnerable people. However, this had to be balanced with upholding the law and bringing consequences when required, to help build strong supportive and safe communities. During this time, I worked with many young people and whilst on a secondment to the Princes Trust I first felt this call to justice in the courts.  

I heard many stories from this diverse group of young people around the impact of unstable families. This included disagreements, violence and a wide variety of abuse often culminating in a total breakdown of family life. This frequently led to them repeating those cycles, and in turn them leading chaotic lives and getting criminal records.  

I really wanted to support children/young people who found themselves, through no fault of their own in these circumstances. Therefore, after much prayer and soul-searching my husband and I entered a period of fostering. This was undoubtedly a major step towards understanding how I could better serve my community in the courts. 

Then two seemingly chance encounters with ladies I knew, but hadn’t known until then, that they both served as Magistrates. They both talked to me about how they believed I could make a valuable contribution to the community, by bringing my life experience to serving as a magistrate myself. 

I applied and after an endless wait (12 months) was sworn in to serve as a family justice. When I started to hear cases, I realised afresh, just how blessed I had been with the upbringing I had. So many families in heartache and chaos often unable, sometimes unwilling, to make decisions which would prioritise their children.   

What an honour and privilege to be a small part in helping bring about meaningful changes to often broken and hurting families. To see smiling grandparents sacrificing everything to put their grandchildren first, being enabled and supported. Helping parents come to solutions which enable their children to get the best in the most difficult circumstances.  

I would never have guessed that my childhood experiences, my career and the people I encountered there, would have had such a profound effect on how I now serve my community.  

In conclusion, your community and the Magistrates courts NEED YOU. You don’t need any legal training or background, simply common sense, compassion and a desire to serve. But be patient, as the wheels of justice roll very slowly. My journey so far has been - “Humbling, Sobering, Rewarding and Inspiring”.  

The journey continues as I have now been successful in my application for the Adult Bench. Watch this space as this next chapter unfolds.

Anne Williams

If you sense that God is leading you in a similar way to Anne, please explore how you might answer that call using this link: Become a magistrate: Who can be a magistrate - GOV.UK