JCIO 82/24
Date: 20 December 2024
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Ms Valerie Humphrey 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.
Ms Humphrey has failed to meet her sitting requirements in two of the last three years and is not on course to meet sitting requirements for the current year.
Ms Humphrey’s representations
Ms Humphrey did not respond to neither her bench chair, nor the London Conduct Advisory Committee (LCAC)’s attempts to contact her about the matter.
London Conduct Advisory Committee recommendation
In recommending Ms Humphrey’s removal from office, the LCAC took into consideration that she did not provide any reasonable explanation for her lack of sittings, and failed to maintain an appropriate level of contact with her bench chair.
Decision
The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed with the recommendation to remove Ms Humphrey from office without further investigation.
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