Magistrate reprimanded for misusing title (From The Oxford Times)
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Magistrate reprimanded for misusing title
9:30am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News
AN OXFORDSHIRE magistrate has been reprimanded for inappropriate use of his title.
David Harding has been serving on the Oxfordshire bench for seven years but has now been disciplined for using the “JP” suffix in correspondence relating to a private civil dispute.
A spokesman for the Office for Judicial Complaints said: “The Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice concluded that his behaviour fell below the standard expected of a magistrate and in the circumstances have issued Mr Harding with a reprimand.”
The spokesman refused to release details about what the private civil dispute was about.
Under the guidance which magistrates are given when they join the bench, the “JP” suffix – which stands for Justice of the Peace – should be used with “great care” to prevent the perception of it being used to gain influence or personal.
