Court of Appeal judge handed formal warning for misconduct after behaving in "rude and hostile manner" to counsel

The Lord Chief Justice, with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued a Court of Appeal judge with a formal warning for misconduct.

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: “The Guide to Judicial Conduct reminds office-holders to be courteous, tolerant and respect the dignity of all. They should also ensure that their conduct maintains and enhances public confidence in the judiciary.

“Following an investigation carried out under the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office holders) Rules 2014 by a senior judge appointed by the Lord Chief Justice, Lewis LJ was found to have behaved in a rude and hostile manner towards counsel in a hearing. Whilst not all the complaint allegations were made out, the nominated judge found that Lewis LJ 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.”

The spokesperson added that Lewis LJ “accepted that he had allowed his frustrations at the hearing to show and reflected that he should have handled matters differently. He offered his sincere apologies at the hearing”.

The Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the nominated judge’s recommendation, the spokesperson said.

In deciding to issue Lewis LJ with a formal warning, they took into consideration the mitigation offered by Lewis LJ, including his apology and commitment to learn from the experience and adjust his behaviour in future.