A medical member of the health, education and social care chamber has been issued with a formal warning for misconduct after writing a ‘bullying’ unsolicited letter to a judge.

'Highly inappropriate, unprofessional' letter sent to judge 'constituted bullying'

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The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) issued Dr John Stevens with the formal warning following a disciplinary investigation, launched by the health, education and social care chamber president.

Stevens had written an unsolicited letter to a judge in which he made ‘highly critical personal comments about her’, the JCIO said. Stevens explained he was seeking to challenge the judge after she had interrupted his questioning of a witness during a hearing.

A spokesperson for the JCIO said Stevens apologised for the content of the letter and any ‘unintended offence that it had caused to the judge’.

The letter was described as ‘highly inappropriate, unprofessional and constituted bullying’.

The JCIO 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 confidence in their personal impartiality and that of the judiciary.

‘Following an investigation…the chamber president found that the content of Dr Stevens’ letter was highly inappropriate, unprofessional and constituted bullying.

‘Additionally, by discussing the matter with people, including someone outside the judiciary, Dr Stevens had brought the judiciary into disrepute. His actions amounted to misconduct.

‘Having considered the mitigation offered by Dr Stevens, the senior president of tribunals and lord chancellor agreed with the chamber president’s recommendation.’

The health, education and social care chamber is one of the largest branches of the first-tier tribunal and is formed of specialist courts dealing with mental health hearings, cases involving children with special educational needs, professional standards cases for some of the caring sectors and professions as well as cases about doctors providing services under the NHS.