JCIO 07/25

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mr Mark Harding from office for failure, without reasonable excuse, to meet the minimum sittings required of his office.

Facts

The summary process in the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023 enables the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) to recommend a judicial office holder’s removal from office without further investigation where that office holder has failed, without reasonable excuse, to meet their minimum sitting requirements.

Mr Harding has failed to sit since 2018 or attend training since 2019, and has not responded to numerous attempts by both the President of Employment Tribunals (England and Wales) and his Regional Employment Judges to contact him.

Mr Harding’s Representations

Mr Harding did not respond to the JCIO’s request for representations.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, agreed with the JCIO’s recommendation to remove Mr Harding from office for failing, without reasonable excuse, to meet his sitting requirements.

Notes for Editors

Media queries in relation to the JCIO should be made in the first instance to the Judicial Press Office - telephone 020 7073 4852 or via email - press.enquiries@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk

Sanctions for misconduct by judicial office-holders are set out in the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. They are, in order of severity: formal advice, formal warning, reprimand and removal from office.

For more information about the Office, including details on how to make a complaint against a judicial office holder, you can visit the JCIO website at: Judicial Conduct Investigations website