JCIO 96/24

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

The Lord Chancellor, with the Lady Chief Justice’s agreement, has removed Miss Panama Jahan 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 requirements.

The London Conduct Advisory Committee recommended Miss Jahan’s removal from the magistracy after she had failed to meet the annual minimum sittings for the last four years. Miss Jahan has failed to attend any of her booked sittings since 15 May 2024 and is no longer in contact with her bench leadership team.

Miss Jahan’s representations

Miss Jahan did not respond to the advisory committee’s attempts to contact her about the matter.

Decision

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