Trans magistrate calls for LGBTQ+ members to volunteer

Maz was one of the first openly transgender people to take on the role of magistrate in the UK

One of the UK's first transgender magistrates is calling for other people within the LGBTQ+ community to volunteer.

Maz Edwards, 69, who has been a magistrate in Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset since 2002, said there is "great camaraderie" in court.

"It's not about being male or female, it's about being judicial," she said.

"In court I am me, I sit in the chair in the middle and I control the court."

Ms Edwards is a wheelchair user and sits in North Somerset Magistrates' Court, which has wheelchair access.

"I have never had a problem in court. I have had one advocate misgender me but I corrected him.

"I was the first in my area - I have spoken to a couple of trans judges but there are not many and we are less than 1% of the population anyway.

"Any conviction changes a life. Having something serious in court is sobering, but at the end of the day I have delivered justice," she said.

'Anybody can do it'

The challenges and responsibilities of the role are matched by the rewards, she added.

"There is such camaraderie among magistrates - we are not special, we have just stepped up.

"But anybody can do it, adjustments can be made.

"As long as you have good character and are prepared to do the training, it could be you next," she added.

People aged 18 to 74 can become a magistrate and applications in the south west are now open.

No legal background or experience is required as full training is given.

Employers are legally required to allow time off for the role, and self-employed people can claim loss of earnings of up to £134.96 per day.