JCIO 96/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Tribunal Judge Alex Hobbs (‘TJ Hobbs’), of the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

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

A complaint was submitted to the JCIO concerning a delay by TJ Hobbs in issuing a decision notice following a Child Maintenance Service Tribunal hearing, which remained outstanding at the time of the complaint. The decision notice was not provided until nearly four months after the hearing.

TJ Hobbs’ Representations

TJ Hobbs accepted responsibility for the delay and apologised to the parties. He attributed the delay to pressure of work and acknowledged that he had not given the matter the priority it deserved. He also confirmed that he had taken steps to more clearly diarise decision notices to prevent similar delays in future.

Nominated Judge’s findings

Following an investigation under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, a nominated judge found that TJ Hobbs’ delay of 16 weeks (just under four months) in issuing the decision notice amounted to misconduct.

In recommending formal advice, the nominated judge took into account TJ Hobbs’ previously unblemished conduct record, expression of remorse and demonstration of insight. The nominated judge also noted his acceptance of responsibility for the delay, his apology to the parties and the steps he had taken to prevent a recurrence. The nominated also took into account that TJ Hobbs’ delay beyond the three-month general threshold was just over a month, and, therefore, was not a case of excessive delay.

However, the nominated judge considered it an aggravating factor that TJ Hobbs failed to keep the parties informed, did not respond to multiple chaser emails from the Tribunal, did not inform his leadership judge of the matter to request writing time, and that the decision notice was only produced after the complaint was made.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s recommendation and issued TJ Hobbs 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