JCIO 83/25

   

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 Mr Adrian Kermode JP with a sanction of formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The declaration and undertaking signed by all magistrates on their appointment states that they will maintain the good reputation of the magistracy at all times, in their private, working, and public lives. Additionally, social media guidance for the judiciary cautions against expressing or appearing to endorse views that could cast doubt on an office-holder’s objectivity or impartiality. This includes engaging with controversial content, including by liking, sharing, or commenting on posts that relate to political, legal, or socially divisive issues.

In August 2025, Mr Kermode liked a post on LinkedIn which contained several politically sensitive statements. This resulted in a complaint from a member of the public alleging that Mr Kermode’s actions were in breach of the standards of conduct expected of judicial office-holders.

This matter was dealt with under the expedited process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023. The expedited process enables the JCIO to advise the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice that the magistrate concerned should be issued with formal advice or a formal warning where the facts are not disputed and the conduct likely amounts to misconduct.

Mr Kermode’s representations

Mr Kermode accepted responsibility for his actions and apologised for them. He took prompt action to delete the like and gave assurances as to his future conduct.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with advice from the JCIO that Mr Kermode’s actions risked undermining public confidence in his impartiality and had reputational implications for the magistracy.

In agreeing to issue Mr Kermode with a sanction of formal advice, the Lord Chancellor and Mr Justice Keehan took into consideration that Mr Kermode accepted responsibility for his actions and gave assurances as to his future conduct. 
 

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