Speedier system for complaints against judiciary
The time period for making a complaint against a judge or magistrate has been cut from one year to three months under a new, speedier system.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office—which took over from the Office for Judicial Complaints—launched its new complaints handling service last week.
There will now be one over-arching set of regulations, with different sets of rules for courts, tribunals and magistrates.
Complaints that fall short of misconduct may be dealt with pastorally, while certain categories of cases such as criminal convictions will be dealt with under a faster, summary process. Serious complaints will be handled through a new two-tier system. If the judicial office holder faces potential removal or suspension from office, they will have a right to have the matter referred to a disciplinary hearing panel. Otherwise, there is no automatic right to a hearing but the judge or magistrate may request that the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice make a further investigation before a decision is made.
Last year, three tribunal members, 17 magistrates and one judge were removed from office, a further 19 judicial office holders were reprimanded, and 16 resigned. More than 1,000 eligible complaints were received.
