JCIO 07/26

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Employment Judge (EJ) Simon Loy with a reprimand for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders are expected to show ‘respect for the law and observance of the law’. They should avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office or might cast doubt upon their independence, impartiality or integrity.

A referral was made to the JCIO after EJ Loy pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis for which he was disqualified from driving for 15 months and fined.

EJ Loy’s representations

EJ Loy acknowledged that he had driven after consuming alcohol and refused to give a breath sample. He expressed regret for his behaviour and apologised. In outlining the background to the incident, EJ Loy described the difficult personal circumstances he had been experiencing at the time.

Nominated Judge’s findings and recommendation

Following an investigation under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that EJ Loy had breached the Guide to Judicial Conduct, falling short of the core principle of integrity. The nominated judge found that EJ Loy had acted recklessly by driving after consuming alcohol and displayed a lack of respect and observance of the law when failing to provide a breath sample. The nominated judge found that although no one was harmed, there was a real possibility that EJ Loy and others may have been harmed. The nominated judge found that EJ Loy’s actions amounted to serious misconduct.

In recommending a reprimand, the nominated judge took into consideration EJ Loy’s prompt self-reporting to his leadership judge, his full acceptance of responsibility, the personal mitigation he provided, his engagement with appropriate services, and his otherwise unblemished conduct record.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor accepted the nominated judge’s finding. Having weighed the gravity of EJ Loy’s behaviour and his significant, compelling and exceptional personal mitigation, they concluded that a reprimand was a proportionate sanction. 
 

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