JCIO 56/26

   

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 Danyelle Farrell JP of the Merseyside Bench with a formal warning for misconduct.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign an undertaking to complete all essential and compulsory training prescribed by the Lady Chief Justice. Failure to complete such training within the required timescales, without an acceptable reason, may amount to misconduct.

A matter was referred to the North-West Conduct Advisory Committee after Mrs Farrell had failed to complete the Domestic Abuse training course within the required timescale, despite being given opportunities and reminders to do so over a two-year period.

Mrs Farrell’s representations

Mrs Farrell apologised for failing to complete the training within the required timescale and explained that employment pressures had affected her ability to attend. She accepted that the training should have been completed earlier and took prompt steps to complete it after the matter was raised with her.

Nominated committee member’s findings and recommendation

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, the nominated committee member considered Mrs Farrell’s employment pressures and prompt completion of the training to be strong mitigation. However, she did not consider that those matters provided an adequate explanation for the failure to complete the training over the two-year period. The nominated committee member concluded that this amounted to misconduct and recommended a formal warning.

Decision

After careful consideration, Mr Justice Keehan, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, issued Mrs Farrell with a formal warning for misconduct. 
 

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