JCIO 24/25

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 Mr Terry Regan JP with a formal warning for misconduct.

Facts

On appointment magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking agreeing to maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders are expected to show ‘respect for the law and observance of the law’ and comply with their responsibilities to promptly report conduct related matters.

The Useful Information for Magistrates, July 2020 document sets out the requirement for magistrates to report to their senior legal manager or bench chair road traffic offences if six penalty points are to be endorsed on the licence, or if a lesser number of points are ordered to be endorsed, the total points exceed six.

On 24 September 2024, Mr Regan self-reported to the Midlands Conduct Advisory Committee that he had nine penalty points on his driving licence from three offences occurring between 2022 and 2023. He also advised that he had recently pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving, which resulted in him receiving a six-month driving ban and a financial penalty.

Mr Regan’s representations

Mr Regan accepted that he had failed to comply with his reporting requirements as he had misinterpreted the guidance. He accepted that the driving convictions reflected poorly on him. He apologised for not fully understanding the guidance, his reporting responsibilities, and for any embarrassment his actions had brought to the magistracy.

Nominated committee member’s findings

The matter was investigated in accordance with The Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023. A nominated committee member found that Mr Regan had failed to make himself aware of and not acted in accordance with the relevant guidance in relation to reporting relevant motoring convictions in a timely manner. The nominated committee member found that, in committing further traffic offences after the first offence in 2022, Mr Regan had not used sound judgement in his driving standards. The nominated committee member concluded that the number of motoring convictions on Mr Regan’s licence gave rise to a finding of misconduct, which was compounded by the significant delay in reporting the matter. The nominated committee member took into consideration that Mr Regan was a long serving magistrate with no prior findings of misconduct against him.

The nominated committee member also took into consideration that Mr Regan showed genuine remorse and had taken remedial action to reduce the risk of further offences. This included having a speed awareness device fitted to his vehicle.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the findings and issued Mr Regan with a formal warning.

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