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JCIO 25/26
Date: 22 June 2026
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Employment Judge Tim Kenward with a formal warning for misconduct.
Facts
The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial officeholders are expected to display diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties.
The JCIO received a complaint alleging a pattern of delay by Judge Kenward in completing judicial work, including 46 outstanding judgments, written reasons, case management orders and reconsideration decisions across three regions between March 2023 and August 2024. The complaint also noted that Judge Kenward had failed to self-report these delays to his leadership judges for an extended period contrary to expected standards.
Employment Judge Kenward’s representations
Judge Kenward expressed sincere remorse and accepted responsibility for the delays, acknowledging that they were unacceptable and that he had not self-reported in line with standard guidance. While he outlined a combination of personal and professional pressures as context, he did not seek to excuse his conduct on that basis. Judge Kenward confirmed that he has since taken steps to ensure that similar oversights do not occur again.
Nominated judge’s findings and recommendation
Following an investigation under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023 a nominated judge found that Judge Kenward’s delays in issuing judgments, reasons and orders in 46 matters, together with his sustained neglect to self-report those delays, demonstrated a failure to display the diligence and care expected of a judicial officeholder. The nominated judge considered that the delays created operational harm, a risk of harm to parties affected by the delays and gave rise to reputational harm to the tribunal service. The nominated judge concluded that Judge Kenward’s conduct amounted to serious misconduct.
In recommending that he be issued with a formal warning, the nominated judge took into consideration Judge Kenward’s mitigating factors and that he had taken full responsibility for his actions and had made efforts to rectify the situation.
Decision
The Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s findings and recommendation and issued Judge Kenward with a formal warning. They took into account that Judge Kenward was a relatively recently appointed salaried judge, that he had shown insight and remorse, and had compelling personal mitigation. They noted that he was no longer behind on his judgments.
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
