JCIO 21/25

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 Fiona Jones JP of the East Kent Bench with a reprimand for misconduct.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign an undertaking which includes a commitment to sit for at least 13 days (or 26 half-days) per year. For magistrates sitting in dual jurisdictions, such as Mrs Jones, this is increased to 30 half-days per year.

A complaint was made to the South-East Region Conduct Advisory Committee that Mrs Jones had repeatedly failed to meet her sitting requirements and had not kept in contact with her bench chair.

Mrs Jones’ representations

Mrs Jones cited factors that had affected her ability to sit and maintain contact with her bench chair, including work commitments and other personal matters. She explained that she took an extended leave of absence in 2024 but that in hindsight, she felt she may have returned to sitting prematurely. She highlighted that she had been a committed magistrate for 30 years and expressed her intention to improve her sittings through 2025.

Findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, a nominated committee member found that Mrs Jones had failed to meet the minimum sitting requirements of her role in 2024 without a reasonable excuse. The nominated committee member stated that Mrs Jones should have sought a further period of absence if she was unable to resume sitting. The nominated committee member found that Mrs Jones’ behaviour amounted to serious misconduct and was aggravated by her failure to meet her sitting requirements in the two preceding calendar years. In recommending a reprimand, the nominated committee member recognised that personal circumstances affected Mrs Jones’ ability to sit and acknowledged her previously unblemished conduct record and commitment to improve her sittings.

Decision

Having considered the mitigation offered by Mrs Jones, Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated committee member’s recommendation.

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