Two district judges have been sanctioned for delays, according to the report. District Judge Allan Pickup and District Judge Joanne Redmond both received formal advice for misconduct.
District Judge Allan Pickup was issued with formal advice after the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office received a complaint about a delayed court order. The order was not drawn until June 2025, more than seven months after the hearing in December 2024.
The delay meant the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service was unable to commence safeguarding work within the 16-week period referenced at the hearing. Pickup accepted that the delay was unacceptable and apologised to the parties.
He cited work pressures, including heavy daily lists and significant paper and digital boxwork, in mitigation. A spokesperson for the JCIO said the judge had since taken steps to ensure that similar oversights do not occur again.
Sanctions for Misconduct
District Judge Joanne Redmond was also issued with formal advice for misconduct. The JCIO received a complaint from a litigant that the judge took six months to approve the full transcription of a judgment.
Redmond accepted that she was responsible for the delay and expressed her sincere apologies to all those affected. She gave personal reasons for the delay and explained that the production of the transcript had not followed the usual course of events.
The JCIO added that Redmond had taken steps to ensure that delays do not occur in the future. Both Pickup and Redmond had previously unblemished conduct records.
Sanctions for misconduct by judicial office-holders are, in order of severity, formal advice, formal warning, reprimand, and removal from office. The JCIO investigates complaints about the conduct of judicial office-holders, helping to maintain awareness of the importance of judicial integrity.
Investigation Process
The JCIO receives complaints and conducts investigations. If a complaint is substantiated, the JCIO may issue formal advice, a formal warning, or a reprimand. In severe cases, the JCIO may recommend removal from office.
The investigation process involves reviewing the facts of the case and gathering evidence. The JCIO may also interview witnesses and consult with experts.
In the case of Pickup and Redmond, the JCIO found that they had both failed to meet the expected standards of conduct. However, both judges had taken steps to ensure that similar delays do not occur in the future.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the judiciary. By investigating complaints and issuing sanctions, it helps to ensure that judges are held accountable for their actions, similar to how political speech rights are protected.
The sanctions issued to Pickup and Redmond serve as a reminder that judges are expected to meet high standards of conduct. The fact that both judges had previously unblemished conduct records highlights the importance of maintaining these standards, and funders, such as those involved in legal settlements, should take note.
