October 01, 2023
LONDON, UK | One of the most senior judges in England and Wales, Lord Justice Clive Lewis, has received a formal warning for misconduct following an investigation that found he had exhibited “rude and hostile” behavior in court, described as “judicial bullying.”
Lord Justice Clive Lewis is well-known for his involvement in a high-profile case where he ruled, alongside another judge, that the Home Secretary’s decision to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was lawful. However, this decision was later overturned by the Court of Appeal by a majority of two to one and is currently set for further consideration by the Supreme Court in October.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) initiated an investigation into Lewis’s behavior after a complaint was filed against him regarding a separate case. A spokesperson for the JCIO stated, “The lord chief justice, with the lord chancellor’s agreement, has issued Lord Justice Clive Lewis with a formal warning for misconduct.” The Guide to Judicial Conduct emphasizes the importance of judges being courteous, tolerant, and respectful of the dignity of all parties while maintaining and enhancing public confidence in the judiciary.
During the investigation, a senior judge appointed by the lord chief justice found that Lewis had acted in a “rude and hostile manner” towards counsel during a court hearing. While not all the allegations in the complaint were substantiated, the investigating judge concluded that Lewis had “intervened excessively in counsel’s submissions, throughout the hearing, in a manner which became increasingly harsh and rude and to the extent that it constituted judicial bullying.”
In response to the findings, Lord Justice Clive Lewis issued a formal apology, acknowledging that he had allowed his frustrations to surface during the hearing. He expressed his “sincere apologies” for his behavior.
The lord chief justice and lord chancellor, after careful consideration, endorsed the recommendations of the investigating judge. They took into account Lewis’s apology and his commitment to learning from this experience and adjusting his behavior in the future. A formal warning serves as a reminder of the high standards expected of judges and reinforces the importance of civility and respect within the legal profession.
