A judicial office-holder who used his mobile phone whilst driving has been issued with formal advice for misconduct. Recorder Edward Renvoize received a fixed penalty notice for using a mobile while driving. He was fined and received six penalty points on his licence. He reported this to his leadership judge.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said Renvoize said ‘at the time of his offence he was focused upon the health of a family member’.
It added: ‘Recorder Renvoise said…he picked up his phone to read a message because he was concerned it may have been in relation to [the health of the family member]. He did not dispute that he had committed the offence and did not seek to diminish the gravity of the conduct.’
The guide to judicial conduct 'states that judicial office holders are expected to show "respect for the law and observance of the law",' the JCIO said.
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Judicial office holders are required to report to their leadership judge any road traffic offences which result in six penalty points being endorsed on their driving licence.
The lady chief justice and lord chancellor said formal advice was a ‘reasonable and proportionate sanction’.
The JCIO said: ‘They took into consideration that whilst Recorder Renvoize had broken the law and been seen to breach the principle of integrity, he had taken full responsibility for his actions and apologised.’
Formal advice is the least severe sanction for misconduct.
