JCIO 60/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Senior President of Tribunals, acting on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Tribunal Judge Lynn Griffin with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders are expected to display diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties. The general threshold for when the time taken to complete a judgment may raise a question of misconduct is that the period since the conclusion of the hearing or trial exceeds three months. In April 2024, the JCIO received a complaint from a member of the public regarding a substantial delay by Judge Griffin in delivering a judgment.

Judge Griffin’s representations

Judge Griffin accepted responsibility for the delay. In mitigation she explained that she was required to fit the completion of the complex judgment around other work and her extensive judicial roles and responsibilities. She also cited personal factors which had affected her ability to complete the judgment in a timely way.

Nominated judge’s findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that Judge Griffin has delayed handing down the judgment for over 17 months. The nominated judge acknowledged that Judge Griffin had an unblemished record of conduct and holds a larger than usual number of important extra roles within the judiciary. While accepting that the mitigation cited by Judge Griffin had an impact on her ability to deliver the judgment, it did not excuse the length of the delay.

Decision

The Senior President of Tribunals and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s recommendation to issue Judge Griffin with formal advice.

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