A magistrate is a person who is empowered to preside over court sessions, with the exception of murder, treason, and offenses against international law, and to render decisions such as judgments. In Kenya, magistrates are classified into three ranks, which are as follows:
- District Magistrate.
- Sub divisional Magistrate.
- Executive Magistrate.
There is a chance that you don’t know how to become a magistrate in Kenya. I will help you out. As you read through this article, you’ll learn how to become a magistrate in Kenya.
Guidelines on How to Become Magistrate
Here is the step-by-step guide on how you can become a magistrate in Kenya:
- Attain a Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized institution.
- Attain a diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
- Get admitted to the Roll of Advocates.
- Be competent enough in computer applications.
- No complaints from the advocates you were working with.
- Have three years of experience, whether in a private firm or any other employment scheme.
- Have a current employment certificate.
- Have the set out qualifications in chapter six of the constitution.
- Build a network communication system so that you can easily find a job.
- Apply for the vacant seats following the right legal procedure.
These are the steps to follow in order for you to easily become a magistrate in Kenya. It is also the legal way of joining principal magistrates.
Functions of the Magistrate Court in Kenya
Here are some of the functions of the magistrate court in Kenya:
- Hearings on all cases except murder and treason.
- Hearing of the civil case except those limited by statute.
- Impose sentences on the criminals.
Hierarchy of Magistrate Courts in Kenya
You may also be interested in knowing the hierarchy of magistrate courts in Kenya, which are:
- Resident Magistrate Court.
- Kadhi courts
- Court Martials.
- Tribunals.
- District magistrate courts in Kenya.
How Many Magistrate Courts Are There in Kenya?
Do you want to know how many magistrate courts there are in Kenya? The list of chief magistrates in Kenya is long, with approximately 542 magistrates in Kenya who manage the magistrate courts.
Conclusion
In summary, becoming a magistrate in Kenya is a career that is worthwhile since you are paid high salaries and allowances. Besides, you are able to serve justice to Kenyans in a proper manner.