JCIO 50/24

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 Dr Rajay Arora JP with a formal warning for misconduct.

Facts

Applicants to the magistracy are required to disclose any information that, if it became generally known, might bring the magistracy into disrepute or call into question their standing as a magistrate. Additionally, on appointment, magistrates are required to sign a declaration and undertaking, which includes a commitment to notify the bench chair and the head of legal operations / deputy justices’ clerk of any such matters.

A complaint was referred to the North West Region Conduct Advisory Committee after it came to light that Dr Arora had failed to declare in his application and interview to become a magistrate that he had been the subject of a work-related investigation involving the Police, Person in Position of Trust and NHS England.

Dr Arora’s representations

Dr Arora confirmed that he had been the subject of an investigation, which had subsequently completed, and no action was taken against him. He confirmed that at the time of his application and interview, he thought that as the matter was under investigation, he did not need to declare it.

Nominated Committee Member’s findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, a nominated committee member found that Dr Arora should have been aware that he was required to report the matter. In failing to do so, his actions amounted to serious misconduct.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated committee members findings. They took into consideration that Dr Arora had fully reported his involvement following his appointment and decided that a formal warning was the appropriate sanction in this case.

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