JCIO 30/16

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office Said:

Mr Recorder Francis Evans was subject to an investigation into his conduct following two complaints. The first complaint was that he had consumed alcohol during the day on court premises which created significant problems for the court staff assisting him. The second complaint related to his repeated defaults of payment in relation to child maintenance orders and his failure to inform his leadership judge of the resultant court proceedings, including that he had twice been subject to a suspended committal order for non-payment of child maintenance. The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice considered that in both matters Recorder Evans’s actions demonstrated a lack of awareness and fell below the standard expected of a judicial office holder and have removed Recorder Evans from judicial 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

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: https://www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk