JCIO 35/26

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Recorder Patrick Mason with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct reminds judicial office-holders about the importance of showing respect for the law and maintaining the reputation and good standing of the judiciary.

Recorder Mason reported to the JCIO that he had received three fixed penalties in respect of three separate speeding offences, each of which resulted in a fine of £100 and three points on his licence, in December 2025.

The expedited process in the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023 enables the JCIO to recommend to the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice that an office holder should be given formal advice or a formal warning when:

• There is no dispute about the facts in the complaint.
• The JCIO considers that the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice would be very likely to decide that the matter amounts to misconduct and that a sanction of formal advice or formal warning would be appropriate.

Recorder Mason consented to use of the expedited process in this case.

Recorder Mason’s representations

Recorder Mason stated that a new speed camera had recently been installed on his commute, located near the end of a 30mph zone. He explained that on three occasions in December 2025, he must have accelerated before the end of the 30mph zone, triggering the speed camera. He added that he had driven the route several times without incident during the same period and was unaware of the new camera until receiving the first Notice of Intended Prosecution – by which point, all three speeding offences had already occurred.

He also apologised, saying he was ashamed and angry with himself, and gave assurances that the events had made him even more careful and safety conscious in future.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with advice from the JCIO to issue Recorder Mason with a sanction of formal advice. In reaching this decision, they took into consideration that the judge had reported the offences promptly and had maintained a clean driving record for almost 50 years. 
 

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