JCIO 117/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Reverend (Revd) Terence Young JP, a retired magistrate on the supplemental list, with formal advice for misuse of the ‘JP’ suffix.

Facts

When magistrates retire, they are automatically placed on the supplemental list. While supplemental list magistrates have no judicial powers, they are entitled to continue to refer to themselves as a JP. They are also subject to the same expectations in how they conduct themselves as serving magistrates. This includes being circumspect and avoiding use of the suffix ‘JP’ in ways that could be perceived as trying to gain influence.

A complaint was made to the North West Conduct Advisory Committee about the behaviour of Revd. Young whilst acting in his capacity as a union representative. It was alleged that he had acted aggressively, had misused his JP status in written and verbal communications and had threatened to disclose information to ‘court officials’. It was alleged that he had done so to intimidate and influence the relevant decision-making process.

Reverend Young’s representations

Revd. Young accepted that he had used his JP suffix routinely in his email signature and in his letterhead. He considered that it was appropriate to do so as it demonstrated his professional qualifications and that he was a person of integrity.

Revd. Young denied that he had acted inappropriately or that he had mentioned his JP status verbally whilst acting as a voluntary union representative. He stated that the complainant had misunderstood him as he had referred to discussing the case with ‘senior union officers’ not ‘court officials’.

Nominated Committee Member’s findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, a nominated committee member (NCM) found that Revd. Young had acted professionally in his capacity as a union representative. He had not given any verbal indication of his JP status and did not refer to ‘court officials’ when referring to disclosing information.

The NCM considered that Revd. Young’s extensive reference to his JP suffix in written communications with the complainant had breached the guidance and risked reputational damage to the magistracy. Whilst it was not Revd. Young’s intention, the recipients were genuinely concerned that this was an inappropriate attempt to intimidate them.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the findings and recommendation and issued Revd. Young 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