His Honour Judge Martin Davis was accused by a member of court staff of numerous allegations, primarily that HHJ Davis made overfamiliar and inappropriate comments while they worked together which made her uncomfortable.
The complaint was subsequently investigated by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office who issued a disciplinary statement 5224 on the 3rd October 2024.
HHJ Michael Slater, was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1994. He was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2010, as a Tribunal Judge in 2011, as a District Judge in 2014 and as a Recorder in 2019. The then Lord Chief Justice deployed him to the Western Circuit, based at Taunton Crown, County and Family Court with effect from 11 July 2022
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued His Honour Judge (HHJ) Martin Davis with formal advice for misconduct.
Facts
The Guide to Judicial Conduct reminds judicial office-holders to be courteous and to respect the dignity of all. It also reminds them to treat others fairly and respectfully, be mindful of their authority, and aware of how their words and behaviour can affect others.A complaint was made about HHJ Davis by a member of court staff. She made numerous allegations, primarily that he made overfamiliar and inappropriate comments while they worked together, which made her uncomfortable.
HHJ Davis’ representations
HHJ Davis denied the allegations. He claimed the complainant had misremembered or misrepresented his words. He explained that he takes an interest in his colleagues, with whom he enjoys conversations and has built positive relationships. However, upon reflection, he had learned to be more careful when sharing personal anecdotes and views and to always have regard to the powerful position he holds.Investigating judge’s findings
Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office holders) Rules 2014, the investigating judge found that the majority of the allegations were not established. However, she found that HHJ Davis inappropriately and unnecessarily shared his strongly held moral beliefs with the complainant, a female member of staff who was subordinate to him, and therefore unable to object to anything said, and who did not know him. He was overfamiliar in his conversations with her, for example through his ill-judged use of humour and excessive sharing of personal anecdotes. This was intended to be friendly but made the complainant uncomfortable. He was not sufficiently mindful of his position of authority and did not consider the effect of his words and behaviour on the complainant. He therefore did not treat her with respect.In recommending a formal warning, the investigating judge considered the fact that HHJ Davis is an experienced office-holder who should have been mindful of his position of authority. Furthermore, while he had shown insight and reflection, he had not offered an apology.
Decision
STATEMENT FROM THE JUDICIAL CONDUCT OFFICE JCIO 52/24
Having considered the investigating judge’s findings and the mitigation offered by HHJ Davis, the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor determined that the issue of formal advice, rather than a formal warning, was appropriate. A sanction of formal advice was more consistent with the findings made. In reaching their decision, they took into consideration that HHJ Davis did not intend to cause offence or discomfort to the complainant, and that he in fact intended to be friendly and approachable. They agreed with the investigating judge that the misconduct was at the lower end of seriousness. They also noted that the matter related to a brief period and that HHJ Davis had an unblemished record.
Had His Honour Judge Martin Davis been in any other profession would he have been fired ?
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His Honour Judge Martin Davis was last updated on the 27th March 2025
