JCIO 60/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Ms Hannah Mettam, Assistant Coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with a formal warning for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders are expected to show ‘respect for the law and observance of the law’ and they should avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office or might cast doubt upon their independence, impartiality or integrity. Ms Mettam notified the JCIO that she had pleaded guilty to a drink driving offence, for which she was sentenced to a community order and disqualified from driving for three years.

Ms Mettam’s representations

Ms Mettam fully accepted that she had driven whilst under the influence of alcohol and was over the legal limit. In explaining the circumstances behind the incident, Ms Mettam provided details of difficult personal circumstances she had been experiencing at the time.

Nominated Judge’s findings and recommendation

Following an investigation, a nominated judge found that Ms Mettam’s behaviour amounted to misconduct. As mitigating factors, the nominated judge took into account Ms Mettam’s prompt self-reporting to the JCIO, her acceptance of full responsibility, her engagement with relevant support services, and her otherwise unblemished conduct record.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor accepted the nominated judge’s finding, and concluded that a formal warning was a proportionate sanction, taking into consideration Ms Mettam’s mitigation and full acceptance of her actions. 

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