JCIO 11/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued His Honour Judge (HHJ) Jan Luba with formal advice for misconduct.

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

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office-holders) Rules 2014, a nominated judge found that His Honour Judge Luba had failed to progress four cases, specifically that he had failed to deal with applications in those cases in a timely manner.

His Honour Judge Luba accepted that he had delayed unduly in all four cases. He expressed his regret and sincerely apologised for the delay. Upon being notified of the complaint he took immediate steps to deal with the applications.

His Honour Judge Luba explained that he had taken on a role dealing with a group of litigants who are involved in multiple cases often with multiple applications to a number of courts. Taking on this role together with his other judicial duties led to his workload being too great, but he nonetheless accepted that ‘being too busy is not excuse for delay’.

Having considered the mitigation offered by His Honour Judge Luba, the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the judge’s recommendation.

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