JCIO 76/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mr Lascelles Haughton, of the South-East London Local Justice Area, from office for failure, without a reasonable excuse, to meet the minimum sittings required of a magistrate.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking which includes a commitment to sit for at least 13 days (or 26 half days) a year. If they fail to do so without an acceptable reason, they are expected to resign. They are also expected to maintain contact with their bench chair.

The summary process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023 enables a regional conduct advisory committee secretary to recommend a magistrate’s removal from office without further investigation where that magistrate has failed, without a reasonable excuse, to meet their minimum sittings requirement.

London Conduct Advisory Committee (LCAC) recommendation

The LCAC recommended Mr Haughton’s removal from office due to his failure to meet the minimum sittings requirement in 2024/25, after also failing to meet his minimum sittings requirement in the two preceding years. The LCAC also took into account that Mr Haughton had failed to engage with the bench leadership team’s attempts to address his shortfall in sitting days. The LCAC considered that there was no realistic prospect of Mr Haughton achieving the minimum sittings as he has cancelled all future sittings and is not maintaining contact with the bench chair.

Mr Haughton’s representations

Mr Haughton explained that he was not initially aware of the LCAC’s attempt to contact him and only became aware once he was contacted by the JCIO. He cited personal mitigation and work commitments for his failure to sit in 2024/25 but did not offer any explanation for the two previous years. He expressed his commitment to the magistracy going forward.

A further attempt was made by the LCAC and his bench chair to address the shortfall, however Mr Haughton did not respond.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed with the LCAC’s recommendation to remove Mr Haughton from office without further investigation. 
 

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