JCIO 71/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office Said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the agreement of the Lady Chief Justice, has removed Mr Richard Whitehouse from office as a magistrate for failure to complete the minimum number of sittings required of a magistrate and failure to complete essential training.

Facts

The declaration and undertaking signed by all magistrates on appointment includes a commitment to sit for at least 13 days (or 26 half-days) a year, to attend essential training, and to resign if they fail to do so without a reason acceptable to the Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice.

Mr Whitehouse was referred to the Midlands Conduct Advisory Committee after his bench chair raised concerns that he was persistently failing to complete sittings and training.

Mr Whitehouse’s representations

In written representations, Mr Whitehouse questioned the accuracy of records regarding his sittings and referred to his previous bench chair being confused about whether he had resigned.

Conduct panel’s findings

A conduct panel established under the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2014 found that Mr Whitehouse had failed without a reasonable excuse to meet his sitting and training requirements. He had also failed to comply with his undertaking to resign in such circumstances. The panel concluded that, despite reminders and encouragement to do so, Mr Whitehouse had demonstrated a pattern of avoiding his obligations to the magistracy.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor and Lady Chief Justice agreed with the conduct panel that Mr Whitehouse should be removed from office.

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