JCIO 16/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Recorder Simon Myerson with formal advice for misconduct after he posted inappropriately on Twitter (now known as X).

Social media guidance issued to the judiciary advises judges to avoid participation in online debates about the judiciary, legal system or other topics of political controversy. It also reminds judges to maintain the moral authority, integrity, decorum and dignity of their judicial office.

Following two complaints from individuals regarding a series of tweets that they found offensive, an investigation was carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office holders) Rules 2014 where a nominated judge found that Recorder Myerson’s behaviour amounted to misconduct. It was recommended that he should be issued with formal advice.

In making their recommendation, the nominated judge considered that Recorder Myerson had identified his judicial status in historic tweets, engaged in politically controversial issues, sometimes in an offensive manner, and failed to maintain the standards of his judicial office.

Having considered the facts of the case, the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge that Recorder Myerson’s actions amounted to judicial misconduct and that the appropriate disciplinary sanction is 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