JCIO 102/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Employment Judge Stephen Shore with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct requires judicial office-holders to display diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties. In June 2025, the JCIO received a complaint alleging that Employment Judge Stephen Shore had delayed issuing a reserved judgment following a court hearing in April 2024. Despite repeated chasers sent by the complainant to the court about the matter, and an indication from the judge that the matter would be prioritised, the judgment remained outstanding.

Employment Judge Shore’s representations

Employment Judge Shore accepted that the delay was unacceptable and apologised. He explained that he sits in both East London and Nottingham which has made it difficult to maintain a consistent working environment. He also cited several significant personal factors in mitigation. Employment Judge Shore gave assurances that he was now taking steps to finalise the judgment.

Nominated Judge’s findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that the reserved judgment remained outstanding for 19 months as at the time of the investigation. This was despite several chaser emails from the complainant. Such a delay caused the postponement of a remedy hearing and the nominated judge also found that Employment Judgement Shore had failed to report to his leadership judge that the judgment was outstanding, contrary to guidance issued to Tribunal judges. The nominated judge found that Employment Judge Shore’s working pattern across two regions adversely affected his ability to complete judicial work promptly and to 2 communicate with his leadership judge. The nominated judge also acknowledged the judge’s significant personal mitigation, his acceptance of responsibility, and his apology. However, the nominated judge found that the delay amounted to misconduct based on a failure to display diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s findings and recommendation to issue Employment Tribunal Judge Shore 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