Picture in the Hallway

We finally got around to putting up all the black and white pictures of New York in our hallway today. There are 24 of them (so far) and the whole job took us almost four hours. Here are the before and after views looking up the stairs...

Planning a vacation

This weekend we're trying to plan a vacation. Because we've had a lot of stuff going on lately we're probably just going to do something really easy which means going back to the Maldives for a couple of weeks. We went there last year and had a fantastic time so hopefully it's be as good this year.

Becoming a Magistrate

I decided I wanted to become a magistrate after I did jury service for the first time back in 1992. I thought that being a juror was an amazing experience, and I quite fancied the idea of being a judge although obviously without years of education and a major career change that was never going to happen. But then, after a chat with one of the ushers at Southampton Crown Court, it was suggested I could become a magistrate which, to some extent, is a bit like being a judge and jury rolled into one. Being a magistrate does require some considerable flexibility from IBM concerning your time management as it required you to attend court for approximately 20 days each year and unfortunately my manager at the time was not at all happy or encouraging. When I had a second stint of jury service in August 2001 that was it, my enthusiasm was reignited and this time I had the full support of my manager.

To apply to become a magistrate you simply have to fill in some fairly length forms explaining why you believe you have all the necessary qualities, provide three suitable referees who must confirm that you are a fair and responsible person, and then wait. Contrary to common belief you don't need any detailed knowledge of the law, but just a sense of what is fair and right. There is much waiting involved during the application process as it's fairly lengthy involving two fairly formal interviews with a panel of three magistrates. The first interview is broadly to see what personal qualities and prejudices you posses and exhibit, and if you pass this first interview you go forward to a second interview, some months later, to probe your views to a much deeper level on matters that you would be dealing with if you actually do become a magistrate.

At my first attempt I got through to the second interview, but failed and was absolutely distraught! Luckily a friend, Colin Bird, who's also a magistrate, assured me that failing at the first attempt wasn't uncommon and that I should definitely re-apply which I did at the first opportunity, however this can't be any sooner than two tears from when you failed. So in 2004 I reapplied immediately. This time I passed both interviews but rather than getting a letter saying well done you've passed I got a rather more subdued note telling me I had simply been accepted through the interview stage and my name would go forward to see if I met the demographic requirements of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight bench. In this case being a white, middle aged, Anglo Saxon, male would not be any advantage whatsoever, in fact it could even be a disadvantage as the benches must ensure they are representative of the communities they serve and I'm probably very typical of the type of person who usually applies to be a magistrate. I did get through that stage, received another very low key letter informing me of the fact, and was asked to fill in another pile of forms enabling all kinds of background checks to be run against me that were necessary to ensure I actually was all I'd claimed to be, and didn't have a shady background I'd failed to reveal.  Yet another cautionary letter followed saying that my name would now be passed to the Lord Chancellor for his approval and confirmation that I was being recommended for appointed to be a Justice of the Peace. This confirmation finally arrived some 18 months after I'd first applied, for the second time, and I can't tell you how relieved I and my other 30 appointees were.

Now I had to begin my training which consisted of five full days in Havant Courthouse where we were taken through all the protocols, procedures, and issues we would be expected to deal with while working as magistrates. The education was some of the best I have ever experienced and was very easy to follow being presented by very experienced people in a very informal environment. One of the major focuses of the education is that all decision making should follow a very structured process so that all the salient points of a case, evidence and mitigation, can be seen to have been considered, leading ultimately to a fair and just decision. We had lots of group exercises where we could test our ability to pass fair judgments on all manner of criminal activities and we were taught to be very wary of judging people in court based upon their appearance or demeanor. One of the more light hearted parts of the learning was where were told about all the tricks and props defendants use to try and gain sympathy in court such as, sick or dying relatives, no job, new job, overly pregnant girlfriend(s) usually with complications, and children with difficult to prove medical conditions.

The final stage of my becoming a magistrate was the swearing in ceremony held in Winchester Crown Court on July12. This involved all 30 of us having to swear to the judicial oath in open court in front of a judge, many invited local dignitaries, and all our nearest and dearest. Until you have been sworn-in, although you are a JP, you can't actually sit in court as a magistrate so this really is the last step and the one where you are finally unconditionally congratulated at having achieved what you set out to do.

Training continues formally on the job for the first 18 months but in reality continues for the rest of my career as a magistrate as I gain experience with all the necessary current and new procedures and legislation, but most importantly with all the situations, people, and cases I will see and pass judgment over during the coming years.

Lunch at Le Manoir

Went to Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saison near Oxford this week and just as we'd hoped it was superb. We also got to meet Raymond Blanc who of course is super enthusastic about food and the freshness of all his ingredients. It was a bit expensive but a very nice treat all the same.

Saalbach 2006

This was taken looking towards Saalback at about 10 am on Monday 23 Jan , 2006. 

Feb 05 - 19:04

This is my first day of doing this stuff so let's see how it all works out from here....