NEWCASTLE JUDGE REMOVED FROM OFFICE OVER INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT
A district judge from Newcastle has been removed from his position following a complaint alleging that he had "behaved inappropriately towards a number of staff." The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office conducted an inquiry into District Judge Andrew Simpson, who served at the Newcastle Civil and Family Courts and Tribunals Centre.The complaint accused him of "overly familiar and unprofessional conduct," which included "contacting staff via text and social media regarding personal matters," "sending photographs from social events attended outside of work," one of which contained a highly sexualized image, and engaging in "unwanted physical contact." A statement from the disciplinary authority revealed that the Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, along with Lord Chancellor David Lammy, determined that Mr Simpson's behavior was "wholly inappropriate" and represented a "serious failure to meet the expected standards." The investigation followed complaints suggesting inappropriate conduct, including references to himself and colleagues using “highly inappropriate terms” in emails sent from his official account.
Nonetheless, Mr Simpson questioned the motivations behind those supporting the complaint.
According to the statement, he "acknowledged the substance of some allegations but denied any improper intent," while admitting that certain behaviors were inappropriate and would not be repeated.
Initially, a disciplinary panel recommended that he be issued a reprimand—the most severe penalty short of removing him from office—after concluding that Mr Simpson had “communicated inappropriately” with staff and that, although his intentions were not malicious, his actions were "seriously misguided." However, Baroness Carr and Mr Lammy concluded that Mr Simpson's actions amounted to "gross misconduct" involving a significant breach of integrity.
The statement noted that his behavior was repeated, involved abuse of his position, caused distress among staff, and negatively impacted the working environment and the judiciary's reputation.
In view of the gravity of the misconduct and considering all relevant factors, it was decided by the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice that Mr Simpson's role as a judicial office holder was no longer sustainable, and that removal from office was the appropriate and proportionate response.
The courts and tribunals judiciary website mentions that Mr Simpson qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and commenced his role as a district judge in December 2022 at the Newcastle Civil and Family Courts and Tribunals Centre.
The JCIO statement also quoted Mr Simpson as describing his communication style as “informal but consistently polite and friendly,” claiming that some incidents were attempts to “support or cheer up staff during difficult periods.” Nevertheless, Baroness Carr and Mr Lammy identified that Mr Simpson’s “unfounded challenge to the motivation of those supporting the complaint” worsened the situation, and they did not believe he had shown sufficient insight into the seriousness of his conduct.
Ultimately, the courts and tribunals judiciary concluded that given the severity of the misconduct and all relevant circumstances, removing Mr Simpson from his judicial position was both appropriate and proportionate.
