JCIO 51/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Dr Anna Duke, a Medically Qualified Tribunal Member (MQTM) of the Social Entitlement Chamber (SEC), from office for failure, without a reasonable excuse, to meet the minimum sittings required of her office.

Facts

The terms of Dr Duke’s appointment as a tribunal member included a minimum sitting requirement of 20 days per year.

The summary process in the Judicial Conduct Rules (Judicial) 2023 enables the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) to recommend a judicial office holder’s removal from office without further investigation where that office holder has failed without reasonable excuse to meet their minimum sitting requirements.

Dr Duke was appointed as an MQTM in December 2021. She has not sat since her appointment and has not responded to attempts by her leadership judge to contact her.

Dr Duke’s representation

Dr Duke did not respond to the JCIO’s request for comments.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, agreed with the JCIO’s recommendation to remove Dr Duke from office for failing, without a reasonable excuse, to meet her sitting requirements.
 

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