Stipendiary magistrate

Stipendiary magistrates, magistrates in receipt of a stipend, are the most junior judges in the Scottish judiciary. As of 2014 there are only 4.9 full-time equivalent posts and the only court they sit in is the Justice of the Peace Court in Glasgow. The Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill, making its way through the Scottish Parliament during 2014, proposes the abolition of the post upon the creation of the new post of summary sheriff. There will be a larger number of summary sheriffs, with around 60 of them sitting in more justice of the peace courts and sheriff courts, throughout the country. Under the Bill any stipendiary magistrates in post on implementation of the legislation will become summary sheriffs and would automatically transfer unless they decline the appointment.