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Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

People from different generations discuss how approaches in a certain field have changed

People from different generations discuss how approaches in a particular field have changed

The Generation Gap: Series 5: Crime

The Generation Gap: Series 5: Crime: Episode 4: Magistrates

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Series 5: Crime

Episode 4

Episode 4: Magistrates

Magistrates

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Generation Gap, Series 5: Crime, Magistrates

Two magistrates highlight the many changes in legislation and the move to virtual courts.

Two magistrates highlight the many changes in legislation, from traffic offences to the Human Rights Act, and the move to virtual courts with video links to prisoners in jail.

When at 38, Anne Fuller wanted to be a magistrate in the 1970s, she was told she was too young. Then magistrates were often middle-aged and middle-class. The women had to wear a hat and gloves. Two years later she applied again and was accepted. Now magistrates can be as young as 18 and diversity is encouraged. David Singh was only 27 when he joined the bench at Wimbledon. There have also been many changes in legislation from traffic offences to the Children Act and Human Right's Act and more recently a move to virtual courts with video links to prisoners in jail and witness video evidence.

Reporter: Sara Parker

Producer: Laura Parfitt
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4.

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People from different generations discuss the change in approaches for dealing with crime

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The Generation Gap

Series 5: Crime

Episode 4: Magistrates

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