JCIO 109/24
Date: 14 March 2025
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mr Ahmed Azam from the magistracy for failure, without a reasonable excuse, to complete the minimum annual sittings required of a magistrate.
Facts
On appointment, magistrates sign an undertaking, which includes a commitment to sit for at least 13 days (or 26 half days) a year. They are also expected to keep in regular contact with their bench chair and be able to demonstrate commitment and reliability.
The summary process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023 enables an advisory committee to recommend a magistrate’s removal from office without further investigation where that magistrate has failed, without a reasonable excuse, to meet their minimum sitting requirements.
The London Conduct Advisory Committee recommended Mr Azam’s removal from the magistracy after he had failed to meet the annual minimum sittings for the last three years. He did not attend training organised for him in September 2023 to facilitate his return to sitting and has not maintained contact with his bench chairs.
Mr Azam did not respond to the advisory committee’s attempts to contact him about the matter.
Decision
The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed with the recommendation to remove Mr Azam from office without further investigation.
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