By virtue of its education and training functions it is a charitable organisation and is funded by its members to promote the magistracy.

The inaugural meeting of the association was held at Central Hall, Westminster, on 28 October 1921.

The association was established to: Since 1969, it has helped to develop various sentencing guidelines.

Various standing committees are populated by association members and focus on specific areas of magistrates' activities.

[3] A book The Magistracy at the Crossroads was published by Waterside Press in 2012.