Magistrates (Retirement) Ben Chapman To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the retirement age is for magistrates. Ms Harman The retirement age for magistrates is 70, with two exceptions. First, if a magistrate is a chairman of the bench when he or she reaches 70, he or she need not retire until the year as chairman has ended. Second, if a magistrate is adjudicating in a case which is in progress on the day he/she reaches 70, the Lord Chief Justice may, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, direct that the magistrate need not retire until the case has ended.