JCIO 31/26

   

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 Toby Beck JP, a retired magistrate on the supplemental list and formerly of the Nottinghamshire bench, with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

Upon retirement, magistrates are automatically transferred to the supplemental list and remain subject to the same standards of conduct as serving magistrates. All magistrates, upon appointment, sign a declaration and undertaking that includes a commitment to conduct themselves with circumspection and to uphold the reputation and good standing of the magistracy.

While magistrates may use their JP initials on private and business letterheads, in the same way as academic or professional qualifications, they should not be used for the furtherance of trade, professional, business or political interests in accordance with the Guide to Judicial Conduct.

A complaint was made to the Midlands Conduct Advisory Committee that Mr Beck, who retired from the magistracy in 2011, had referred to his magisterial status in a letter during a private dispute.

Mr Beck’s representations

Mr Beck accepted that he had referred to his magisterial status in the letter and apologised if he had breached guidance.

Nominated committee member’s findings and recommendation

Following an investigation under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, a nominated committee member of the Midlands Conduct Advisory Committee found that although it was unclear why Mr Beck referred to his magisterial status in his letter or what difference that reference made, Mr Beck had failed to be circumspect in his conduct and it was recommended that he receive a sanction of formal advice for misconduct.

In making the recommendation, the nominated committee member considered that the incident appeared to be isolated.

Decision

After careful consideration, Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the recommendation to issue Mr Beck with formal advice. 
 

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