JCIO 07/23

     

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

 

The Lord Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has removed Mrs Olive Leighton JP from the magistracy for misconduct. Following an investigation carried out by the South West Region Conduct Advisory Committee under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014, a conduct panel found that Mrs Leighton failed to engage with her bench chair, complete prescribed training in a timely manner or attend sittings.

In so doing, Mrs Leighton demonstrated a significant failure to comply with the magistrates declaration and undertaking as well as the key qualities of commitment and reliability required of a magistrate.

Mrs Leighton provided no explanation for her lack of engagement. She failed to engage with the disciplinary process and provided no reasons as to why she should not be removed from office. In light of Mrs Leighton’s failure to display the necessary commitment, the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice agreed to remove her from office.

 

 

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