JCIO 31/25

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Deputy District Judge (DDJ) Michael Horton KC with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders are expected to display diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties.

The JCIO’s guidance on misconduct and recommending sanctions explains that a question of misconduct may arise where the time taken to complete a judgment exceeds three months from the conclusion of the hearing or trial.

A party to proceedings complained to the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) that DDJ Horton had failed to issue a judgment approximately five months after a hearing.

Deputy District Judge Horton’s representations

DDJ Horton acknowledged that he had taken too long to produce the judgment and apologised.

He explained that the hearing had taken longer than anticipated, which meant he had been unable to deliver his judgment on the day. Pressure of work and lack of judgment writing time had then contributed to the delay.

When he was finally able to set aside time to write the judgment, it took him two full days. He had since reflected and had sought advice from his judicial mentor to ensure that his judgments would be delivered on time in future.

Nominated judge’s findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that DDJ Horton was responsible for a delay in issuing a judgment of five months. This amounted to misconduct.

In recommending a sanction of formal advice, the nominated judge took into account that the DDJ Horton had accepted responsibility for the delay, apologised and taken steps to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s recommendation.

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