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JCIO 80/25
Date: 03 February 2026
A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:
Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Ms Michelle Bevan-Margetts JP of the Suffolk bench with formal advice for misconduct.
Facts
Magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment, which includes an agreement to be circumspect in their conduct and to maintain the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy at all times, in their private, working and public lives.
The Guide to Judicial Conduct reminds magistrates to ensure that their conduct, both in and out of court, maintains and enhances the confidence of the public, in their personal impartiality and that of the judiciary. They are also reminded that they should display respect for the law and should not comment publicly on the merits or likely effect of government policy.
Ms Bevan-Margetts was referred to the South-East Conduct Advisory Committee in relation to the contents of a campaign leaflet for her candidacy in a local election. The campaign leaflet, which bore her name, signature, and photograph, included comments about the effectiveness of government policy and the judiciary.
Ms Bevan-Margetts’ representations
Ms Bevan-Margetts explained that she had not personally distributed the leaflets, and that the version of the leaflet which she had approved for printing did not contain the comments in question. Evidence was provided to support that the comments in question had been later added by her party without her knowledge. Ms Bevan-Margetts accepted that she should have checked the leaflet prior to distribution but maintained that any comments made without her explicit consent should not be attributed to her.
Nominated committee member’s findings and recommendation
The allegation was investigated in accordance with The Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023. A nominated committee member of the South-East Region Conduct Advisory Committee found on the balance of probabilities that Ms Bevan-Margetts had not personally distributed the leaflet but had allowed its distribution by failing to check the finalised leaflet, which was in breach of the standards expected of an office holder to avoid commenting on the merits of government policy.
The nominated committee member found that while this was not a deliberate breach, it was a failure to exercise due diligence and in so doing, Ms Bevan-Margetts failed to display respect for the law. The nominated committee member found that Ms Bevan-Margetts’ conduct could have reduced respect for judicial office, and cast doubt on her own independence, impartiality or integrity.
The nominated committee member also noted that while Ms Bevan-Margetts had taken voluntary steps to try to mitigate the effect of the misconduct, she had not shown full insight into the implications of her conduct and appeared to accept no responsibility.
The nominated committee member concluded that Ms Bevan-Margetts actions amounted to misconduct and recommended that she be issued with a sanction of formal advice.
Decision
Mr Justice Keehan and Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated committee member’s recommendation and issued Ms Bevan-Margetts with formal advice.
Sanctions for misconduct by judicial office-holders are set out in the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. They are, in order of severity: formal advice, formal warning, reprimand and removal from office.
For more information about the Office, including details on how to make a complaint against a judicial office holder, you can visit the JCIO website at: Judicial Conduct Investigations website
