JCIO 94/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Miss Nina Reinach from the magistracy for failure, without a reasonable excuse, to complete the training or 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 either complete one or more training requirements within a reasonable time or meet their minimum sittings requirement.

The London Conduct Advisory Committee (LCAC) recommended Miss Reinach’s removal from the magistracy after it was reported that she had not undertaken any of the required training following her appointment in October 2023. She has therefore, not met the annual minimum sittings requirement of a magistrate.

Miss Reinach has failed to engage with attempts by her bench chair and her mentor to contact her to discuss the matter and has not engaged with the conduct process.

Decision

The Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice agreed with the recommendation to remove Miss Reinach 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