JCIO 12/25

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 Mrs Jane Greasley JP with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking which requires them to maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times in their private, working and public life. The ‘Useful Information for Magistrates’ leaflet sets out the requirement for a magistrate to speak with their bench chair if a close relative has been involved in court proceedings.

In January 2025, it came to light that Mrs Greasley had neglected to report a close family member’s involvement in court proceedings.

This matter was dealt with, by consent, under the expedited process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023. The expedited process may be adopted where-

a) There is no dispute as to the facts set out in the complaint.

b) The alleged facts relate to conduct which the JCIO considers that the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice would be very likely to decide amounted to misconduct; and

c) The JCIO considers that the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice would be very likely to decide that formal advice or a formal warning was the appropriate disciplinary sanction.

Mrs Greasley’s representations

Mrs Greasley accepted responsibility for neglecting to report the matter and apologised. She explained that she had misunderstood the reporting requirements in relation to relatives who are involved in court proceedings.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with advice from the JCIO that formal advice would be a reasonable and proportionate sanction. In reaching this decision, they took into consideration that Mrs Greasley had no previous findings of misconduct since her appointment in 2006.

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