JCIO 09/26

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued District Judge Joanne Redmond with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

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

The JCIO received a complaint from a litigant that District Judge Redmond took six months to approve the full transcription of a judgment.

District Judge Redmond’s representations

District Judge Redmond accepted that, due to an administrative oversight, she was responsible for the delay and expressed her sincere apologies to all those affected. District Judge Redmond cited several significant personal factors in mitigation. She also explained that the production of the transcript had not followed the usual course of events, and that this had contributed to the delay. She confirmed that she has taken steps to ensure that delays do not occur in the future.

Nominated Judge’s findings and recommendation

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that the full transcription of the judgment was not approved for six months after the judge’s receipt of the transcript. The nominated judge found that this delay by District Judge Redmond amounted to misconduct. The nominated judge acknowledged District Judge Redmond’s personal mitigation, her acceptance of responsibility and her apology.

The nominated judge acknowledged that District Judge Redmond had an unblemished record and that she had engaged fully with the complaints process.

Decision

Having considered the mitigation offered by District Judge Redmond, the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s findings and recommendation to issue District Judge Redmond with formal advice. 
 

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