JCIO 77/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office Said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mrs Nargis Alsadiq from the magistracy for failure, without a reasonable excuse, to complete the minimum annual sittings required of a magistrate.

Facts

On appointment, magistrates sign an undertaking, which includes a commitment to sit for at least 13 days (or 26 half days) a year.

The summary process in the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023 enables an advisory committee to recommend a magistrate’s removal from office without further investigation where that magistrate has failed, without a reasonable excuse, to meet their minimum sitting requirement.

The London Conduct Advisory Committee (LCAC) recommended Mrs Alsadiq’s removal from the magistracy after she had failed to meet the annual minimum sittings for the last three years.

Mrs Alsadiq’s representations

In her representations to the advisory committee, Mrs Alsadiq stated that she had returned to work full time and that it was difficult to take time out to attend court owing to her working for a small family business. She confirmed that she wished to remain a magistrate and intended to meet the required sittings for the current year.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice acknowledged Mrs Alsadiq’s commitment to the magistracy, however, they agreed with the LCAC that she had not given a realistic approach to how she was going to achieve the minimum sittings. Taking into consideration that she was not expected to meet the minimum sittings for the current year either, they agreed with the recommendation to remove Mrs Alsadiq from office without further investigation.

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