JCIO 32/25

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 Mrs Angela Bradshaw JP with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The declaration and undertaking which all magistrates sign on appointment includes a commitment to be circumspect in their conduct and to maintain the “dignity, standing and good reputation” of the magistracy at all times.

Additionally, the Guide to Judicial Conduct states “Members of the judiciary should seek to be courteous, patient, tolerant and punctual and should respect the dignity of all. They should ensure that no one is exposed to any display of bias or prejudice on grounds which include but are not to be limited to “race, colour, sex, religion, national origin, caste, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, social and economic status and other like causes.”

The North-East Conduct Advisory Committee (NECAC) received a complaint alleging that Mrs Bradshaw had made a comment which overgeneralised a cultural group, which the complainant considered to be offensive.

The complaint was dealt with, by consent, under the expedited process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrate) Rules 2023. The expedited process enables the JCIO to advise the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice that a magistrate should be issued with formal advice or a formal warning where -

Mrs Bradshaw JP’s representations

Mrs Bradshaw accepted that she had made the comment and that it was ill-advised. She apologised for any offence caused and offered to apologise directly to the complainant.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice, and the Lord Chancellor agreed with advice from the JCIO that Mrs Bradshaw’s actions had amounted to misconduct. In agreeing to issue Mrs Bradshaw with formal advice, they took into consideration that she accepted responsibility for her actions.

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