JCIO 54/24

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 Ms Lynn Killoran JP of the Merseyside Bench with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking, which includes a commitment to be circumspect in their conduct and to act without bias. Additionally, the Guide to Judicial Conduct reminds judicial office-holders to be tolerant and to respect the dignity of all.

A fellow magistrate complained that during two conversations with him, Ms Killoran made remarks which displayed an unconscious bias of an antisemitic nature. He alleged that she spoke about her work in the charity sector and a correlation between Jewish charities and fraud.

She stated that Jewish charities are believed to make use of the ‘Jewish Accounting System’, whereby money disappears without a trace and reappears later at a much higher value. The magistrate, himself Jewish, was concerned that Ms Killoran was relaying antisemitic stereotypes.

Ms Killoran’s representations

In detailed representations, Ms Killoran denied making the majority of the comments alleged in the complaint and asserted that what she did say had been taken out of context. She denied that her comments were antisemitic.

Findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023, a nominated member of the North-West Region Conduct Advisory Committee found that certain of Ms Killoran’s comments betrayed unconscious bias on her part. While her behaviour was not deliberate or malicious, she had demonstrated a lack of awareness and had made her colleague feel concerned and uncomfortable.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated committee member that formal advice would be a reasonable and proportionate sanction in this case. In reaching their decision, they took into account that Ms Killoran’s comments, while ill judged, were not malicious or intended to cause offence, and that this was an isolated incident.

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