Surprisingly, you do not need a law degree to sit on the bench, just a bit of common sense.
And it was this that attracted Cynthia Thomas to the role 18 years ago.
"I have always been keen on fairness and justice – even as a child," said Mrs Thomas.
A maximum of 150 magistrates serve the district and six places are available for new blood.
Mrs Thomas, who is chairwoman of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee for Calderdale, with responsibility for vetting prospective candidates, is keen to attract magistrates from diverse backgrounds.
She said: "Diversity is the key but it is useful to have a knowledge of the area and some life experience."
Gordon Airy, deputy justices' clerk for Calderdale, added: "We have had refuse collectors and bus drivers up to company directors on the bench and everything in between – a complete cross section of society.
"Magistrates do not need to be lawyers or to be versed in the law – all they need is to be able to sift through the facts of a case and make a decision based on those facts."
New magistrates receive four and a half days of training, are mentored for the first 18 months, attend a two-day residential course and also undergo an appraisal.
They are expected to sit a minimum of 13 days a year but no more than 35 and are paid for the time they give up at work.
Mr Airy said: "Some larger companies are now very supportive of employees becoming magistrates because the skills they learn as magistrates can enhance an employee's ability in the workplace.
"It is a legal requirement of employers to allow people reasonable time to undertake duties in public office."
Magistrates do not have to live within the districts they serve and if they find themselves unable to fulfil their role due to other commitments, they can take a break from it but be kept on a supplementary list.
Mrs Thomas said: "I find it extremely rewarding and I know it sounds odd but I really love being a magistrate.
"It is the most important thing outside of having children that I have done."
She said during her time as a magistrate she has found some cases difficult to deal with, particularly RSPCA cases.
"You have to divorce yourself from life to deal with certain cases," said Mrs Thomas.
She said magistrates cannot pick and choose which cases to sit on and often have to set aside personal feelings.
However, she claims having a sense of humour in the retiring room has helped.
Magistrates usually sit in panels of three to ensure majority decisions are reached.
Where that is impossible, a case is transferred to another set of magistrates.
Mrs Thomas said magistrates also have the ability to help people and change their lives for the better by providing them with access to programmes run by West Yorkshire Probation Service and drug intervention schemes.
Mr Airy said: "The fact a court can step in and provide drug support at the first hearing can help protect a lot of people who could otherwise become victims of crime."

Facts

Magistrates are also referred to as Justices of the Peace.

Their sentencing powers extend to six months imprisonment or 12 months for consecutive sentences, fines up to £5,000 and community orders which can include unpaid work, curfews, electronic tagging and supervision orders.

Magistrates are responsible for granting search warrants to the police.

There are two types of magistrate. Lay magistrates are chosen from members of the public while District Judges (Magistrates' Court) or Stipendiary Magistrates as they used to be called, are legal professionals who are paid a fee.

There are around 30,000 lay magistrates in England and Wales, equally split between the sexes.

Are you interested in applying to become a magistrate? If so contact Calderdale Magistrates Court on 01422 360695 or e-mail wy-halifaxmags@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk.