JCIO 69/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office Said:

The Lady Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued District Judge (DJ) Keeley Bishop with formal advice for misconduct.

Facts

The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judicial office-holders should seek to be courteous, patient, tolerant and should respect the dignity of all. They should ensure that no one in court is exposed to any display of bias or prejudice from any source.

A claimant in money claims proceedings complained to the JCIO that DJ Bishop had made him feel very uncomfortable when she assumed that the claimant’s witness, who was a mechanic, was of the same nationality as the claimant, was a friend and therefore not independently sourced.

DJ Bishop’s representations

DJ Bishop stated that at no time was any offence intended and she apologised if her assumption had caused the claimant to feel uncomfortable. She stated that she made the comment on the basis that the name of the mechanic appeared linguistically similar to that of the claimant. DJ Bishop accepted that she should not have assumed and instead asked more direct questions.

Nominated judge’s findings

Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023, the nominated judge found that DJ Bishop’s remarks, which he considered to be thoughtless rather than ill-intentioned, amounted to misconduct. The remarks were disrespectful to the complainant and breached the required integrity and behaviour expected by judicial office holders towards court users. The nominated judge recommended that DJ Bishop be given formal advice.

Decision

The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s recommendation to issue DJ Bishop with 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