A medical member of the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber has been issued with formal advice after he revealed personal details about his fellow panel members.
Dr John Bennett directly contacted the representative for one of the parties in a case, without contacting the other, in an attempt to secure a listing date for a follow-up hearing, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said. In doing so, Bennett revealed personal details about his fellow panel members to a third party.
Bennett apologised and accepted full responsibility for his actions.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the JCIO said: ‘[Bennett] explained that he was concerned for a vulnerable appellant and was trying to secure a new listing date before the same panel. He thought he was acting with the approval of the panel and the respondent’s representative.’
Following an investigation, Bennett’s actions were found to have amounted to misconduct and decided to issue him with formal advice.
The spokesperson added: ‘The Guide to Judicial Conduct states that judges should strive to ensure that their conduct, both in and out of court, maintains and enhances the confidence of the public, the legal profession and litigants, in their personal impartiality and that of the judiciary.
‘Following an investigation, the chamber president found that Dr Bennett’s actions amounted to misconduct. In deciding to issue Dr Bennett with formal advice, the Senior President of Tribunals and Lord Chancellor took into consideration Dr Bennett’s apology and the singular nature of the incident.’
The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber hears appeals by current and former servicemen or women in England and Wales against decisions by Veterans UK in relation to pensions, compensation and other amounts.
