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JCIO 11/25
Date: 21 May 2025
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued District Judge (DJ) Christopher Falvey with formal advice for misconduct.
Facts
The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that an office holder is expected to be “courteous, patient, tolerant and should respect the dignity of all”.
A party to a case complained to the JCIO that DJ Falvey had been discourteous towards them and shouted at them during a hearing.
District Judge Falvey’s representations
DJ Falvey admitted to showing a degree of irritation and acknowledged that his manner of speaking to the complainant fell short of his usual standards. However, he denied shouting at the complainant.
Nominated judge’s findings
Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that DJ Falvey’s behaviour amounted to misconduct.
While the nominated judge found that DJ Falvey had not shouted at the complainant, she found that he had raised his voice and spoken in a rude and impatient manner to the complainant. One of his comments to the complainant was found to be demeaning.
In mitigation, the nominated judge took into account that DJ Falvey had accepted and regretted that his language had fallen short of his usual standard.
Decision
The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed to issue DJ Falvey with formal advice.
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
