JCIO 80/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Mr Joseph Lindo 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. They are also expected to keep in regular contact with their bench chair and be able to demonstrate commitment and reliability.

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 sittings requirement.

In recommending Mr Lindo’s removal from office, the London Conduct Advisory Committee took into consideration that he had not met the annual minimum sittings requirement for his role since 2019, nor had he maintained contact with his Bench Chair or accessed his emails or the court rota on a regular basis.

Mr Lindo’s representations

Mr Lindo confirmed that he is employed in an extremely challenging sector which has required him to work extra hours and forsake holiday periods to ensure that emergency situations are managed. He confirmed his commitment to the magistracy and said that he would endeavour to meet the minimum sittings in future, whilst continuing to balance this against the requirements of his work. He gave an undertaking to increase his sittings once he retired in the near future.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice acknowledged Mr Lindo’s demanding workload but agreed with the recommendation to remove Mr Lindo from office given his failure to meet the minimum sittings over the last five years.

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