JCIO 20/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office Said:

Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Mr Don Wicks JP with a formal warning for misconduct.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct 2023 states that office holders should seek to be courteous, patient, tolerant and should respect the dignity of all. Magistrates should be circumspect in their conduct and maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times.

The South East Region Conduct Advisory Committee carried out an investigation after it was reported that Mr Wicks had shouted at a member of court staff on two separate occasions and had failed to engage with his bench chair to discuss the matter.

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014, a conduct panel found that Mr Wicks had ranted loudly at the staff member in an aggressive manner and had made comments which were considered inappropriate and threatening. The panel did not make a finding of misconduct in relation to the allegation that he had failed to engage with the bench chair.

In his representations, Mr Wicks accepted that he had raised his voice towards the staff member on both occasions but that his actions were borne out of frustration. He apologised to the staff member at the time.

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the conduct panel’s findings that Mr Wicks’ actions risked damage to the reputation and good standing of the wider judiciary and issued Mr Wicks with a formal warning.

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