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JCIO 23/22
Date:20 January 2023
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
The Senior President of Tribunals, on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Employment Judge Pauline Hughes with a formal warning for misconduct.
On 30 September 2021, Judge Hughes was part of a panel of three tribunal members hearing a case. Midway through the day, following a break in the hearing, the judge’s fellow panel members became concerned, due to a change in her behaviour, that she might be intoxicated. Evidence indicated that the judge had consumed alcohol in her chambers. As a result, the hearing could not proceed to a conclusion.
When Judge Hughes, who has not sat since the incident, was well enough to meet her tribunal president in August 2022, she had little recollection of the incident, but did not dispute that she must have consumed alcohol at work on 30 September 2021.
In making a finding of misconduct and recommending a sanction of formal warning, the tribunal president took into account that Judge Hughes, who has served the tribunal for many years, had not sought to deny drinking alcohol, had expressed remorse for her actions and gave assurances as to her future conduct, including in relation to alcohol use. The Senior President of Tribunals and Lord Chancellor agreed with the recommendation.
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
