1.   Once upon a time magistrates had been dull, stolid figures, worthy but uninspiring, above all remote and anonymous.

2.   In these cases, magistrates are much more likely to convict for technical breaches of highly technical rules.

3.   The increasing tendency of governments to avoid the right of jury trial by creating media offences punishable only by judges or magistrates is disturbing.

4.   The police believe magistrates are under pressure to grant bail, even when officers advise them it could be dangerous.

5.   The RSPCA says magistrates are too soft on people who are cruel to animals.

6.   Solicitor Tim Robinson says magistrates were right to bail Andrew Hagans on a rape charge, even though he killed council worker Anna McGurk just days later.

7.   MAGISTRATES are to be given wide powers to fine criminals according to what they believe they can afford.

8.   Pilot projects have already taken place in two other parts of England, but magistrates in Oxfordshire are confident alterations make theirs a fairer scheme.

9.   A magistrate is a federal judicial officer whose functions include supervising the preparation of civil suits.