JCIO 91/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

Mr Justice Keehan (on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice), with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Mr Gurdev Dadral JP, of the West London Local Justice Area, with a formal warning for misconduct following a six-month driving disqualification and failure to report proceedings promptly.

Facts

This matter was referred to the London Conduct Advisory Committee after Mr Dadral informed his bench chair that he had been disqualified from driving for six months under the totting-up provisions, following multiple speeding offences which resulted in 12 penalty points being endorsed on his licence.

Under the expedited process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, the JCIO may advise the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice that a magistrate should be issued with formal advice or a formal warning where:

(a) there is no dispute as to the facts set out in the complaint;
(b) the alleged facts relate to conduct which the JCIO considers that the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice would be very likely to decide amounted to misconduct; and
(c) the JCIO considers that the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice would be very likely to decide that formal advice or a formal warning was the appropriate disciplinary sanction.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct requires judicial office holders to respect and observe the law. In addition, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment agreeing to report, without exception, any impending criminal or civil proceedings involving them in any capacity, and the outcome of those proceedings (including minor offences as directed by the Lord Chief Justice and divorce proceedings).

Under guidance issued to the judiciary in 2007, road traffic offences must be reported to the relevant leadership judge (or bench chair in the case of a magistrate), if on conviction:

 any period of disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence is imposed, or,
 six penalty points are ordered to be endorsed on the licence, or,
 if a lesser number of points are ordered to be endorsed, the total points then endorsed on the licence exceeds six.

Mr Dadral’s Representations

Mr Dadral accepted responsibility for the offences and acknowledged the seriousness of the disqualification. He admitted failing to report the proceedings in a timely manner, explaining that he had misunderstood the reporting requirements, and offered an unreserved apology.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the JCIO’s advice that Mr Dadral’s conduct amounted to misconduct. They acknowledged his apology, his long and previously unblemished conduct record, and his assurance that such behaviour will not recur. However, in issuing a formal warning, they emphasised the seriousness of the matter, noting the combination of multiple offences, a driving disqualification and late reporting. 
 

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