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District Judge Sam Goozee

District Judge Goozee

Sam Goozée is a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) of England and Wales who was appointed on the 23rd March 2016.

District Judge Goozee serves as the Resident District Judge for Berkshire Magistrates’ Courts and the leadership judge for the south east region.

District Judge Sam Goozee was the judge presiding over Tommy Robinson’s terrorism case at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

DJ Goozee issued rulings on the first day of the trial, including protecting Robinson’s address from publication due to threats and restricting live-tweeting for independent media following a BBC complaint, while allowing mainstream outlets to report. The two-day trial continued on the 14th October 2025.

On the 4th November 2025 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Tommy Robinson (defence funded by Elon Musk) was found not guilty by District Judge Sam Goozee of the terror offence.

I cannot put out of my mind that it was actually what you stood for and your political beliefs that acted for the principle reason for this stop.

The stop was not lawful, and I cannot convict you. I find you not guilty.

District Judge Goozee

It is believed, from Companies House data, that Judge Sam Goozée was born on the 31st January 1971 and was a former director of the now dissolved JUSTICES’CLERKS’SOCIETY (00078822).

Who’s Who lists Goozée, Sam Mark (born 31 Jan. 1971), a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts), since 2016.

Legal Career

District Judge Goozee judicial career stems from a long background in the magistrates’ courts service. After a brief stint in private practice, he spent most of his professional life as a legal advisor in magistrates’ courts, starting in Hampshire before transferring to Dorset.

There, he advanced to legal manager and deputy justice clerk (now known as senior legal manager). He later moved to North and West Yorkshire, where he became Justices Clerk, equivalent to head of legal operations.

While in this senior management role, he applied successfully for a part-time deputy district judge position, sitting a few days a month with Civil Service support for up to 20 days annually, plus additional sittings on his own leave.

This paved the way for his full-time appointment as a district judge in 2016. Apart from two years of defending and prosecuting cases in Bournemouth, his career has been dedicated to advisory and managerial roles in the courts a path he describes as providing an excellent foundation for judicial appointments.

District Judge (MC) Goozee is shown on the District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) published on the Courts and Tribunal Judiciary website.

District Judge (MC) Goozee 
South East		23-03-16
District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts)

Notable Roles and Contributions

Beyond his judicial duties, District Judge Goozee is passionate about outreach and education. He engages with University of Reading law students through programs that expose them to real courtroom scenarios, such as bail applications and pleas in mitigation, helping them bridge academic learning with practical application.

He highlights the everyday realities of magistrates’ courts, including factors like organised crime and substance issues that lead to cases, to foster a nuanced understanding of the criminal justice system. Students have praised his personable and encouraging approach, noting how he supports career development in a field often seen as rigid.

Notable Cases

District Judge Goozee (MC) has presided over several high-profile matters, including:

Image of DJ Goozee : Microsoft Co-Pilot © Ministry of Injustice 2025

The High Court Judge that never was – His Honour Judge Melbourne Inman KC

Check out our articles on Judiciary, Rule of Law, Open Justice, Judges Salaries and Fees, Dodgy Judges, Mr Justice Williams, His Honour Judge Richardson, His Honour Now His Dishonour, His Honour Judge Michael Slater, His Honour Judge Martin Davis, HHJ Farquhar, Do you Have to Bow to a Judge ?, Can you Email a Judge ?, Can you Criticise a Judge ? and the highly dubious Sussex Family Justice Board.

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[post_title] was last updated on the 9th June 2026

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