JCIO 21/26

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mr Paul Chadwick JP, of the Greater Manchester Bench, from office for persistent failure, without a reasonable excuse, to meet the minimum sittings required of a magistrate.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking which includes a commitment to sit for at least 13 days (or 26 half days) a year. If they fail to do so without an acceptable reason, they are expected to resign. They are also expected to maintain contact with their bench chair.

The summary process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023 enables a regional conduct advisory committee secretary 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.

North-West Region Conduct Advisory Committee recommendation

The North-West Region Conduct Advisory Committee recommended Mr Chadwick’s removal from the magistracy after failing to meet the minimum sittings requirement for three consecutive years. Mr Chadwick provided no reasons for his failure to meet his sittings requirement and did not engage with his bench leadership team’s efforts to address the issue with him. Additionally, Mr Chadwick did not respond when invited to make representations as to why he should not be removed from office.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed with the recommendation to remove Mr Chadwick from office. 
 

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