JCIO 74/25

   A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued District Judge (Magistrates Court) Stephen Leake with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office holders should display diligence and care in the discharge of their judicial duties.

The JCIO received two complaints that DJ (MC) Leake had delayed in issuing judgments in respect of five separate instances with a range of delays said to be between 10 and 17 months.

District Judge (MC) Leake’s representations

In his representations, DJ (MC) Leake did not dispute the factual basis of the complaints although he provided further factual context to one of the complaints. DJ (MC) Leake also explained that some operational circumstances of the court had led to an exceptional workload. He also explained that he had some personal circumstances which contributed to longer timeframes for completing his work.

Nominated Judge’s Findings

An investigation was carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023. A nominated judge found delays of just under eleven months and ten months in two separate instances, which both amounted to misconduct. No misconduct was found in respect of the other three instances.

The nominated judge considered that DJ (MC) Leake worked as hard as he could in the context of his challenging workload and personal circumstances. However she found that DJ (MC) Leake should have sought support from his leadership judges. The nominated judge also noted that DJ (MC) Leake had increased his workload unnecessarily by promising written reasons where they were not required.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor took note that DJ (MC) Leake had been issued with formal advice for a similar delay in November 2024. However, in view of DJ (MC) Leake’s personal mitigation, they agreed with the nominated judge’s recommendation and issued DJ (MC) Leake 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