Four judges, five magistrates and eight tribunal members were asked to step down from the bench in the past year according to statistics published by the judicial watchdog this week. The 17 removals marked an improvement in judicial behaviour—20 were removed from office in 2012–2013.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) received 2,108 complaints against judicial office holders from 1 April 2013-31 March 2014. However, of those, 1,190 (59%) related to judicial decision or case management which the JCIO cannot comment on and only 58 cases resulted in disciplinary sanctions. Judith Anckorn, head of the JCIO, says: “This reflects a very small proportion, less than 3% of the total number of complaints concluded in the year.” Reasons for removal included: not fulfilling their judicial duties, inappropriate behaviour or comments, and criminal convictions. In addition, 14 judicial office holders received a reprimand and a further 25 received formal advice or a warning. There are 3,600 members of the full- and part-time judiciary, approximately 29,000 magistrates and 7,000 tribunal members.
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