Category: Judiciary

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) are an independent office which supports the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice in considering complaints about the personal conduct of judicial office holders.

It was established in 2006, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which reformed the way in which judges are appointed, disciplined and removed from office.

Make sure to read our article about the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board (SFJB) and its board members such as His Honour Judge Farquhar.

‘The commissioner’s decision is that the JCIO is not a statutory body. He finds that the JCIO is part of the MoJ which is a public authority for the purposes of FOIA. By failing to confirm whether it held the requested information within 20 working days, the MoJ has breached sections 1(1)(a) and 10(1) of FOIA.’

Judicial Conduct Investigations Office must comply with FoI requests

Rules and Regulations

The 2014 Judicial Discipline Regulations and supporting rules came into effect from 18 August 2014

• The Judicial Discipline (Prescribed Procedures) Regulations 2014
• Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014
• Judicial Conduct (Judicial) Rules 2014
• Judicial Conduct (Tribunals) Rules 2014
• Judicial Conduct (Tribunals) (Amendment of Offices) Rules 2017
• Supplementary Guidance – The Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office holders) Rules 2014
• Supplementary Guidance – The Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014
• Supplementary Guidance – The Judicial Conduct (Tribunals) Rules 2014
• Employment Tribunal (Scotland) – Making a complaint of Judicial Misconduct about an Employment Judge

How to Complain

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office can only deal with complaints about the personal conduct of judicial office holders. This means that they cannot accept complaints about a judge’s decision or the way a judge has managed a case.

The JCIO Making A Complaint website contains all the details along with the link to the JCIO portal.

Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) – 2004

Before the establishment of the JCIO, the responsibility for investigating complaints against judges rested with the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC), which was established in 2004. The OJC was a part of the Ministry of Justice and had the power to investigate complaints made against judges in England and Wales.

However, the OJC was widely criticized for being insufficiently independent and for lacking transparency. In response to these criticisms, the government established the JCIO in 2006 as an independent body to investigate complaints against judges.

Judicial Complaints Investigation Bureau (JCIB) -1991

Before the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) was established in 2004, the responsibility for investigating complaints against judges in England and Wales rested with the Judicial Complaints Investigation Bureau (JCIB), which was created in 1991.

The JCIB was a division of the Lord Chancellor’s Department (which later became the Ministry of Justice), and it was responsible for investigating complaints about the personal conduct of judges. However, the JCIB was criticized for being insufficiently independent and for lacking transparency, particularly following a high-profile case in 1993 involving a judge who was found to have used racist language.

JCIO Powers

The JCIO is responsible for investigating complaints about the personal conduct of judges, as well as their professional conduct. It has the power to investigate complaints made by members of the public, legal professionals, and other judges.

The JCIO’s investigations are carried out by a team of investigators who are independent of the judiciary.

Overall, the establishment of the JCIO was seen as an important step in ensuring the independence and integrity of the judiciary in England and Wales.

Disciplinary Statements

You can check if a a judge has had any disciplinary action against them as Disciplinary statements are published on the JCIO website and are sorted by year.

The JCIO publication policy states that a statement will normally be published when a disciplinary sanction has been issued to a judicial office-holder for misconduct.

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor may decide jointly to:

• issue a statement in any case;
• decline to issue a statement in any case;
• delete a statement prior to the expiration of the relevant publication period.

Publication Periods

Statements published before 22 August 2022

Statements about cases which resulted in a sanction below removal from office will be deleted after one year. Statements about cases which resulted in removal from office will be deleted after five years.

Statements published from 22 August 2022

The following publication periods apply to statements published from 22 August 2022. Following the outcome of the 2020-22 review of the disciplinary system, statements now contain more detail. The JCIO privacy notice has been updated to reflect this change.

Sanction Imposed	Publication Period
Formal Advice	Two Years
Formal Warning	Four Years
Reprimand	Six Years
Removal from Office (except for failure to meet minimum sitting requirements)	Indefinite
Removal from Office for failure to meet minimum sitting requirements	Five years

Requesting a Copy of a Deleted Statement

A copy of any statement which has been deleted following expiration of its publication period can be requested by emailing: general.enquiries@judicialconduct.gov.uk

Requesters must state the name of the office-holder. It will also help to locate statements if requesters give as much information as possible about the nature of the conduct for which the office-holder received a disciplinary sanction, and the year in which they believe the statement was published.

JCIO aims to reply to all requests for deleted statements within 10 working days.

JCIO Publication Policy

JCIO Disciplinary Statements 2024/2025

• Insolvency and Companies Court (ICC) Judge Catherine Burton – JCIO Investigation Statement 43/24
• Assistant Coroner Heath Westerman – JCIO Investigation Statement 42/24
• Mr Justice Marcus Smith – JCIO Investigation Statement 41/24
• Deputy District Judge Dinshaw Printer – JCIO Investigation Statement 40/24
• Mr Timothy Nathan JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 38/24
• Mr Jeremy Purkis – JCIO Investigation Statement 37/24
• His Honour Judge Steven Everett – JCIO Investigation Statement 36/24
• Mr Richard Morris JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 35/24
• Deputy District Judge Adrian White – JCIO Investigation Statement 34/24
• Ms Natalia Schiffrin JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 33/24
• Mrs Anne Toomer JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 32/24
• Mr Timothy Vogel JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 31/24
• Mr Charles Peck JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 30/24
• Deputy Senior District Judge Tanweer Ikram – JCIO Investigation Statement 29/24
• Mr Justice Picken – JCIO Investigation Statement 28/24
• Mr Justin Johnson JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 27/24
• Declan Ball JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 26/24
• Recorder Andrew Tidbury – JCIO Investigation Statement 25/24
• Ms Shaistah Zeidan JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 24/24
• Mr Andrew Sturgess JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 23/24
• Mrs Ijeoma McDougall JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 22/24
• District Judge Najma Mian – JCIO Investigation Statement 21/24
• Don Wicks JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 20/24
• Mr Nicholas Preston – JCIO Investigation Statement 19/24
• Robert Gonouya JP – JCIO Investigation Statement 18/24
• Mr Justice Francis – JCIO Investigation Statement 17/24

Read the reviews of Junior Sussex Barrister Gavin Howe and Legal 500 Junior Barrister Eleanor Battie

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

“She is a one-woman legal A Team”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap

The Solicitor General is the second law officer of the Crown in the United Kingdom, after the Attorney General. The role of the Solicitor General is to assist the Attorney General in their legal duties and responsibilities, and to act as their deputy in their absence.

The Solicitor General is also responsible for representing the government in court, and for providing legal advice to government departments and agencies. In addition, the Solicitor General works closely with the Attorney General on a range of legal issues, including the development of legal policy and the administration of justice.

Sarah Sackman was appointed Solicitor General on the 9th July 2024. She was elected as the MP for Finchley and Golders Green in July 2024.

She was called to the Bar in 2008 and worked as a barrister at Francis Taylor Building and Matrix Chambers, focusing on public, election, planning, environment and rating law.

The Solicitor General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister, and is usually a member of the government. The Solicitor General is also a Member of Parliament and can participate in parliamentary debates and proceedings.

Previous Solicitor General

1. Robert Courts KC 2023 to 2024
2. The Rt Hon Michael Tomlinson KC 2022 to 2023
3. Edward Timpson CBE KC 2022 to 2022
4. The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC 2021 to 2022
5. The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC 2021 to 2021
6. The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC 2021 to 2021
7. The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC 2019 to 2021
8. The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC 2019 to 2019
9. The Rt Hon Robert Buckland KC 2014 to 2019
10. The Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald KC 2012 to 2014
11. Sir Edward Garnier KC 2010 to 2012

Solicitor General Salary

The Solicitor General is entitled to a salary of £62,368 but claims £57,962 according to Salaries of members of His Majesty’s Government: April 2022 (HTML)

This is addition to the basic annual salary for an MP from 1 April 2022 which is £84,144 according to Pay and expenses for MPs.

We recommend you should always seek formal legal advice if required, from a qualified and reputable lawyer (solicitor or barrister).

We have a number of links to Free Legal Resources and Legal Organisations on our Free Legal Advice , Legal Aid and Pro Bono pages.

Read the reviews of Junior Sussex Barrister Gavin Howe 

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

and Legal 500 Junior Barrister Eleanor Battie

“She is a one-woman legal A Team”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap or Legal Blog pages.

An Immigration Tribunal Judge plays a crucial role in the UK legal system, specifically within the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum). Let’s delve into their responsibilities, qualifications, and the process of handling appeals.

Role and Responsibilities

The First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) is administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Its primary functions include:

1. Appeals Against Decisions: Immigration Tribunal Judges hear appeals related to decisions made by the Home Office. These decisions pertain to:
   • Permission to Stay in the UK
   • Deportation from the UK
   • Entry Clearance to the UK
2. Immigration Detention Bail: The tribunal also handles applications for immigration bail from individuals held by the Home Office on immigration matters.

The Judge’s Role

• Independence: The judge remains independent of both parties involved in the appeal.
• No Wig or Gown: Unlike other court settings, the judge does not wear a wig or gown.
• Listening and Decision-Making: The judge listens to evidence presented by all parties before making a decision. Deliberation time is often necessary.

First-tier Tribunal Judges

A list of all First Tier Tribunal judges is published on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website.

Qualifications to be an Immigration Tribunal Judge

To become an Immigration Tribunal Judge, you’ll need to meet specific qualifications and gain relevant experience. Here are the key points:

1. Legally-Qualified Appointments:
   • Most legally-qualified judges have either:
     • Five or Seven Years of Post-Qualification Experience: This experience is typically gained after obtaining legal qualifications as a solicitor or barrister.
     • Eligibility for Non-Traditional Legal Backgrounds: The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act (2007) expanded eligibility to include professionals from The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILE), Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA), and Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA). Non-traditional legal backgrounds (e.g., legal academics) are also considered.
2. Non-Legal Appointments:
   • For non-legal roles, such as medical professionals or experts in specific fields:
     • Relevant professional experience is essential.
     • Requirements vary based on the nature of the tribunal.
3. Basic Requirements:
   • Open to citizens of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, or Commonwealth countries.
   • No upper or lower age limit (except for the statutory retirement age of 70 for all judges).
   • Applications from disabled individuals are welcomed.

Remember that appointments to tribunals are mainly through the Judicial Appointments Commission, which considers both statutory requirements and the qualities needed for a good judge.

Diversity amongst Immigration Tribunal Judge

As of April 2021, Immigration Tribunal Judges in the UK exhibit varying levels of diversity. Here are the key points:

1. Gender:
   • Women constitute about half of tribunal judges but remain underrepresented in the courts judiciary (34% of court judges).
   • In senior court appointments (High Court and above), the proportion of women is even lower (29%).
2. Ethnicity:
   • Black, Asian, and minority ethnic individuals make up 14% of Chartered Legal Executives, 18% of solicitors, and 15% of barristers.
   • The proportion of judges identifying as Black, Asian, or minority ethnic has gradually increased from 7% in 2014 to 10% in 2021.

While progress has been made, efforts continue to enhance diversity within the judiciary.

Immigration Judge imprisoned for Fraud

Barrister/Immigration tribunal judge jailed for legal aid scam
Part-time immigration tribunal judge and barrister Rasib Ghaffar was convicted of conspiracy to commit a £1.8m legal aid fraud and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.
Law Society Gazette 25th June 2024

You may also be interested in our article about dodgy judges and legal news.

Summary

An Immigration Tribunal Judge ensures fairness, impartiality, and adherence to legal principles in immigration-related cases. Their decisions significantly impact individuals’ lives, making their role both challenging and essential.

For more information, you can visit the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) website.

Read the reviews of Junior Sussex Barrister Gavin Howe 

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

and Legal 500 Junior Barrister Eleanor Battie

“She is a one-woman legal A Team”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap or Legal Blog pages.

The title “Chief Magistrate” holds historical and contemporary significance in various legal and governmental systems across the world.

The Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) of England and Wales, as they are known, has a leadership responsibility for the 300-or-so District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) (DJMCs), and Deputy DJMCs across England and Wales.

The Chief Magistrate has no authority over lay magistrates, or over the several hundreds of district judges who sit in the county courts of England and Wales.

The current Chief Magistrate of England and Wales is Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring.

The current Deputy Chief Magistrate of England and Wales is Senior Deputy District Judge Tanweer Ikram CBE.

The position of Chief Magistrate, often laden with authority and responsibility, embodies the essence of governance, justice, and leadership within a jurisdiction.

The Chief Magistrate is responsible for:

• hearing many of the most sensitive or complex cases in the magistrates’ courts and in particular extradition and special jurisdiction cases.
• supporting and guiding district judge (magistrates’ court) colleagues.
• liaising with the senior judiciary and Presiding Judges on matters relating to magistrates’ courts and district judges (magistrates’ courts).

The Chief Magistrate’s Office is also responsible for arranging sittings of Deputy DJMCs across England and Wales, and managing the hearings of disciplinary adjudications in prisons. Where a disciplinary offence by a prisoner merits additional days of imprisonment, full-time district judges are deployed to prisons to hear the cases. Requests come from prisons throughout the country – a list of cases is then built up, and when a sufficient number of cases has been generated, a judge attends the prison to hear them.

Chief Magistrate Courts and Tribunal Judiciary

Controvesy

Three women convicted of terror offence for ‘celebrating’ Hamas attack on Israel by displaying images of paragliders at pro-Palestinian march were spared jail as the Deputy Chief Magistrate of England and Wales, Senior Deputy District Judge Tanweer Ikram CBE says he ‘decided not to punish’ them after ’emotions ran very high’.

For this offence, Section 13(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows for :-

(a)imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months,
(b)a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or
(c)both.

Why did the Deputy Chief Magistrate “let them off” so lightly ?

On the 11th June 2024 Deputy Senior District Judge Tanweer Ikram CBE was issued with a formal warning for misconduct by the JCIO.

The Deputy Chief Magistrate of England and Wales inadvertent ‘liking’ of a post had resulted in a perception of bias. The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice were not satisfied that a sanction of formal advice was sufficient in this case as he had caused “significant reputational damage to the judiciary”.

A row has broken out after a judge who decided to let three women wearing parachute images at a pro-Palestine march walk free admitted to liking a social media post branding Israel a ‘terrorist’.

Tanweer Ikram is facing calls to be investigated for a conflict of interest after he liked a LinkedIn post calling for a ‘free Palestine ‘ by a barrister who had previously promoted conspiracy theories claiming that Israel allowed the October 7 attack.

The senior district judge admitted to liking the post ‘by mistake’ three weeks ago, but was told by the Judicial Office that the matter would not be investigated further.

Daily Mail – Senior Deputy District Judge Tanweer Ikram

History of the Chief Magistrate

From ancient times to modern democracies, the chief magistrate has played a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring the administration of justice, and maintaining social order.

Historically, the term “magistrate” finds its roots in ancient Rome, where magistrates held considerable power in the Roman Republic.

They were responsible for the administration of justice, overseeing public ceremonies, and enforcing laws. The chief magistrate, known as the “consul,” was the highest-ranking official elected to lead the republic for a term of one year. Their authority was balanced by the Senate and other governmental bodies, reflecting a system of checks and balances.

When the first Chief Magistrate began sitting at Bow Street in 1735, the title wasn’t confusing at all – at the time, magistrates in London were paid judicial office-holders, and magistrates’ courts in London were presided over by Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrates.  All magistrates – paid and unpaid – are Justices of the Peace. Nowadays the word magistrate is more commonly used for the unpaid judicial office holders, also commonly known as JPs.

Early holders of the post also had responsibility for the Bow Street Runners, until they were replaced by the Metropolitan Police in the 19th century.

Chief Magistrate’s Office

The Chief Magistrate’s Office provides administrative support both to the Chief Magistrate and to district judges sitting at all the magistrates’ courts in England and Wales.

The Chief Magistrate’s Office is based at:

181 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5BR

DX 120551, Marylebone 9

Email addresses:

Chief Magistrates’ Office enquiries mailbox: CMO.Enquiries@Justice.gov.uk

Judicial Deployment mailbox: gl-cmo.ddjdeployment@Justice.gov.uk

Independent Adjudication mailbox : gl-ind.adjudication@Justice.gov.uk

Chief Magistrate’s Office

We recommend you should always seek formal legal advice if required, from a qualified and reputable lawyer (solicitor or barrister).

We have a number of links to Free Legal Resources and Legal Organisations on our Free Legal Advice , Legal Aid and Pro Bono pages.

Read the reviews of Junior Sussex Barrister Gavin Howe 

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

and Legal 500 Junior Barrister Eleanor Battie

“She is a one-woman legal A Team”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap or Legal Blog pages.

The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Dame Sue Carr, has created a new Transparency and Open Justice Board.

Justice must be done, and it must be seen to be done. The public has a right to know what happens in their Courts and Tribunals.

Transparency & Open Justice Board

Chaired by High Court Judge Mr Justice Nicklin, the new board will lead and coordinate the promotion of transparency and open justice across the courts and tribunals of England & Wales.

The members of the board and an outline of its work are set out in the terms of reference that are published today. The board’s first task will be to engage widely in setting key objectives to guide its work. Thereafter, and in partnership with HMCTS and MoJ, the board will support and coordinate a programme of changes to promote transparency and open justice. The board will establish a stakeholder committee to assist in this work.

Transparency & Open Justice Board

You really must read our articles on the Sussex Family Justice Board, HHJ Farquhar and HHJ Bedford.

The Sussex Family Justice Board is a highly questionable legal cartel operating in secrecy and no accountability in Sussex.

Thankfully none of the Sussex Judiciary have been appointed to the new Transparency and Open Justice Board !

Read the reviews of Junior Sussex Barrister Gavin Howe 

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

and Legal 500 Junior Barrister Eleanor Battie

“She is a one-woman legal A Team”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap or Legal Blog pages.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct – Revised July 2023, published by the judiciary, is intended to assist judges, tribunal members, coroners and magistrates, in relation to their conduct.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct, amongst other things, states that judicial office holders are expected to display diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties.

The Guidance is based on the principle that responsibility for deciding whether or not a particular activity or course of conduct is appropriate rests with each individual judicial office holder.

The Guide is therefore not a code, nor does it contain rules other than where clearly stated. It contains a set of core principles which will help judicial office holders reach their own decisions.

In January 2023, the Lady Chief Justice and Senior President of Tribunals asked the Judicial HR committee, who are the representative body for the entire judiciary, to revise the Guide again to reflect changes in wider aspects of judicial and public life.

UK Supreme Court Guide to Judicial Conduct

The United Kingdom Supreme Court published a Guide to Judicial Conduct (2019).

Every court should have a Code of Judicial Conduct that sets out the standards of ethical conduct to be expected of the Court. Such a Code serves a number of purposes. It provides guidance to the members of the Court. It informs those who use the Court of the standards that they can reasonably expect of its judges. It explains to members of the public how judges behave and should help to secure their respect and support for the judiciary.

 Rt Hon. the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Guide to Judicial Conduct

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council have also published a Guide to Judicial Conduct (2019).

Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO)

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) is responsible for investigating complaints about the personal conduct of judges, as well as their professional conduct. It has the power to investigate complaints made by members of the public, legal professionals, and other judges.

The JCIO’s investigations are carried out by a team of investigators who are independent of the judiciary.

Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) Disciplinary Statements

You can check if a a judge has had any disciplinary action against them as Disciplinary statements are published on the JCIO website and are sorted by year.

The JCIO publication policy states that a statement will normally be published when a disciplinary sanction has been issued to a judicial office-holder for misconduct.

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor may decide jointly to:

• issue a statement in any case;
• decline to issue a statement in any case;
• delete a statement prior to the expiration of the relevant publication period.

Misconduct by Senior Judiciary

These people are expected to be addressed as “Your Honour”! In a real business they would have been fired ! Can you Criticise a Judge ?

Recorder Simon Myerson

“The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Recorder Simon Myerson with formal advice for misconduct after he posted inappropriately on Twitter (now known as X).”

His Honour Judge Nigel Gerald

“The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge that HHJ Gerald’s actions fell short of the standards expected of a judge and that his actions amounted to judicial misconduct.”

His Honour Judge Jan Luba

“The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued His Honour Judge (HHJ) Jan Luba with formal advice for misconduct.”

Check out our articles on Judiciary, JCIO, HHJ Farquhar, HHJ Bedford and the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board.

Read the reviews of Gavin Howe Barrister

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap or Legal Blog pages.

The President of the King’s Bench Division is a highly esteemed position in the United Kingdom’s judicial system.

The President of the King’s Bench Division (KBD) is responsible for the deployment and organisation of the work of the largest of the three High Court Divisions. At its full complement the King’s Bench Division has 71 High Court Judges and has the most varied jurisdiction. By the nature of the office the President is a judge of the Court of Appeal.

Current President of the King’s Bench Division

The current President of the King’s Bench Division is Dame Victoria Sharp DBE.

Dame Victoria succeeded Sir Brian Leveson and is the first woman to hold the position of President of the Queen’s Bench Division and subsequently is the first woman to hold the position of President of the King’s Bench Division.

History of the King’s Bench Division

The King’s Bench Division has a long and intricate history, tracing back to the time of William the Conqueror.

As established by the Magna Carta, the Royal Court (known as coram rege) had jurisdiction over cases heard before the king. These cases could be held anywhere the king was located, whether around the country or at Westminster. Over time, the King’s Bench became a central institution for legal proceedings, handling various matters.

The King’s Bench was merged into the High Court of Justice by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873. After this merger, the King’s Bench became a division within the High Court.

Appointment

The Heads of Division are appointed by The King on the recommendation of a selection panel convened by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

The selection panel comprises the Lady Chief Justice as Chair, a nominee of the Lady Chief Justice, the Chair of the JAC Helen Pitcher OBE, a lay member of the JAC and a nominee of the JAC Chair agreed with the Lady Chief Justice.

The panel reports to the Lord Chancellor, who can then accept the selection, reject it, or require the panel to reconsider. If practical the panel must consult the current holder of the office for which a selection is being made.

By law, candidates for the post must be qualified for appointment as a Lord or Lady Justice of Appeal or to be a judge of the Court of Appeal.

Check out our articles on Judiciary, President of the Family Division, HHJ Farquhar, HHJ Bedford and the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board.

Read the reviews of Gavin Howe Barrister

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

Latest Articles

• 
  Law Society of England and Wales
  The Law Society which is officially known as The Law Society of England and Wales, serves as the professional association representing solicitors… Read more: Law Society of England and Wales
• 
  Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
  Jo Shiner was formally announced as Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the the 30th June 2020. On the 9th… Read more: Chief Constable Jo Shiner Sussex Police Retire, Rejoin and a Samosa
• 
  Bar Council of England and Wales
  The Bar Council of England and Wales is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It is said… Read more: Bar Council of England and Wales
• 
  What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  Money laundering is an illegal activity that involves making large sums of money, which is often generated through criminal endeavours, appear… Read more: What is Anti Money Laundering (AML)

All articles can be found in our Sitemap or Legal Blog pages.