The Law Society Gazette today reported that there has been a significant increase in complaints about inappropriate behaviour by UK Judges. The headline number may be large but it’s not as bad as it seems.
In the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office’s annual report there were 498 complaints raised in the preceding year however only 19 resulted in removal from office and 18 in reprimands. This is only around 7.5% of complaints resulted in action which is low by any standard and although the reasons are not always released it could be for matters such as Bankruptsyor criminal conviction (which could be a driving offence). Much of the rise was attributed to complaints brought about matters outside of their remit which has distorted the numbers a bit. Some of the reprimands were merely advice regarding their conduct or views as can be seen here
Overall despite its foibles, it seems that the British justice system remains one of the best in the world.
