Judge’s chambers: Encounter could diminish respect for office
A recorder who had sex in his judicial chambers over 15 years ago has been given a formal warning for misconduct.
Recorder Paul Kirtley admitted that the encounter with his then partner – who subsequently made the complaint to the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) – had taken place as alleged.
He accepted that his conduct had been inappropriate and, the JCIO said, he also “expressed shame and offered his unreserved apologies”.
The Guide to Judicial Conduct says judicial office holders “should avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office or might cast doubt upon their judicial impartiality; or which might expose them to charges of hypocrisy by reason of their private life”.
The JCIO granted an extension of time for the complaint “in light of exceptional circumstances”, and the judge nominated to investigate found that Recorder Kirtley’s behaviour amounted to misconduct.
“In mitigation, the nominated judge found that the incident was a one-off, consensual encounter that took place over 15 years ago.
“However, the nominated judge determined that a judge engaging in such activity in their judicial chambers would risk reducing respect for judicial office and recommended that Recorder Kirtley should receive a formal warning.”
The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, and Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood agreed with the recommendation.
