JCIO 53/25

   

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 Madeleine Bonser JP, of the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Justice Area, with a formal warning for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct advises judicial office holders to avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office. Additionally, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment to be circumspect in their conduct and maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times.

Mrs Bonser, a mentor to new magistrates, was made aware of a policy that case papers must not be shared with mentees observing court proceedings as part of their training. A complaint was made about Mrs Bonser after she requested court administration staff to provide certain case papers to a mentee observing a hearing.

Ms Bonser’s representation

Mrs Bonser accepted that she had made the request for the case papers to be shared with a mentee. However, Mrs Bonser stated that she had assumed that the policy had changed after case papers had been shared with a mentee on another occasion, and that her assumption had been reinforced when the request in the present instance was actioned by the court administration staff. Mrs Bonser stated that she had no power or desire to unilaterally rescind the policy.

Nominated Committee member’s findings

Following an investigation, a nominated committee member found that by making the request despite being made aware of the policy on three separate occasions, Mrs Bonser failed to uphold the reputation of the judiciary or be circumspect in her conduct. The nominated committee member also found that Mrs Bonser failed to take responsibility and attempted to blame the court administration staff. The nominated committee member ultimately found that Mrs Bonser’s actions amounted to misconduct. In recommending a formal warning, the nominated committee member acknowledged that Mrs Bonser had an 18-year unblemished conduct record.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated committee member’s recommendation. 
 

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