JCIO 48/26

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Employment Judge Hugh Travers with a formal warning for misconduct.

Facts

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

The President of the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales) referred Employment Judge Travers to the JCIO following concerns about a pattern of delay in completing judicial work across several cases. Those delays in issuing judgments, written reasons and case management orders ranged from approximately 11 to 20 months. It was alleged that the judge also failed to self-report these delays contrary to the relevant guidance issued to tribunal judges and did not respond to repeated attempts at contact from his leadership judge and HMCTS staff.

Employment Judge Travers’ representations

Employment Judge Travers accepted the facts of the complaint in full and apologised for the delays and their impact. He stated that the failures arose in the context of significant personal circumstances, which affected his ability to complete work and engage with correspondence.

Nominated judge’s findings and recommendation

Following an investigation under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that there was a pattern of significant delay across multiple cases, together with failures to self-report and to respond to correspondence. The nominated judge concluded that this amounted to serious misconduct.

In recommending a formal warning, the nominated judge took into account the seriousness and extent of the delays, alongside mitigating factors including the judge’s personal circumstances at the time, his acceptance of responsibility, remorse and subsequent completion of the outstanding work.

Decision

After careful consideration, the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed with the recommendation to issue Employment Judge Travers with a formal warning. 
 

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