A magistrate has been issued with a formal warning for misconduct after she refused to return to court to deliver the panel’s verdict.
Shanelle Nwanaebi, of the south east London local justice area, was alleged to have refused to return to court to deliver a verdict and acted in an ‘argumentative and offensive manner towards her colleagues’. The complaint also alleged that Nwanaebi made accusations against her fellow panel members following the hearing.
Nwanaebi said she left the court as she found the situation ‘difficult to continue with and felt justice was not being done’. She denied acting in the manner alleged in the complaint and said her colleagues reacted adversely to being challenged by a younger magistrate.
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said Nwanaebi, who apologised for not returning to deliver the verdict, ‘acknowledged the reputation impact on the magistracy and committed to ensuring her conduct aligns with the declaration and undertaking for magistrates’.
The JCIO added: ‘On appointment, magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking which requires them to maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times in their private, working and public life.’
An investigation found Nwanaebi’s words had been ‘challenging’ but ‘not offensive’ though her refusal to return to court represented a ‘serious failure to uphold judicial responsibilities, compounded by the unfounded accusation towards her colleagues’.
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The investigation, which recommended a reprimand as a sanction, noted Nwanaebi had no previous findings of misconduct, had expressed remorse and had since sat with one of her colleagues without issue.
Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the lady chief justice, and with the lord chancellor’s agreement issued Nwanaebi with a formal warning for misconduct.
Sanctions for misconduct by judicial office-holders, in order of severity, are formal advice, formal warning, reprimand and removal from office.
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