JCIO 22/25

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 Sharanjit Sandhu JP with a formal warning for serious misconduct.

Facts

Mrs Sandhu was accused by a fellow magistrate of being rude to him and a member of court staff, and of using derogatory language about the complainant in emails. She was also accused of breaching protocol on use of a court car park and attempting to mislead the complainant and others when she was first questioned about it.

Mrs Sandhu’s response

Mrs Sandhu denied being rude to anyone. She stated that the complaint was retaliatory in nature and that the complainant had colluded against her with others.

Mrs Sandhu accepted that she had breached the court car parking protocol on two occasions. She stated this was due to a misunderstanding about her scheduled sittings and the circumstances in which it was acceptable to use the car park. She also stated that the issue had been resolved with the court security staff.

Investigating judge’s findings

Following an investigation under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, an investigating judge appointed by the Lady Chief Justice found no misconduct in relation to Mrs Sandhu’s behaviour towards the complainant or the member of staff or in relation to her emails. The investigating judge recommended dismissing these complaints.

The investigating judge did not accept Mrs Sandhu’s explanation for the car park misuse. He found her explanation, along with her claim to have resolved the matter with the court security staff, to be intentionally false.

The judge noted that he would have made a finding of misconduct rather than serious misconduct in relation to misuse of the car park. However, Mrs Sandhu’s decision to give a false account of the matter was a significant aggravating factor. This elevated his finding to one of serious misconduct and a recommendation that Mrs Sandhu receive a formal warning.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the investigating judge. Mrs Sandhu was issued a formal warning for serious misconduct concerning the car park and misleading statements. The complaints about her behaviour towards the complainant and a member of staff were dismissed along with the complaint about the contents of her emails.

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