Crime never sleeps... but justice does

A HIGH COURT judge has “expressed remorse” after falling asleep during a hearing.

Mrs Justice Parker, 68, who sits in the Family Division, dozed off briefly during a case in London. An investigation took place after lawyers involved lodged formal complaints.

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) said she had been given “formal advice” but avoided further punishment because she nodded off “only momentarily”.

David Gauke, the Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, and Lord Burnett, the Lord Chief Justice, had concluded that Mrs Justice Parker’s conduct had the potential to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

The incident is understood to have happened at some time last year.

Mrs Justice Parker is the second longest-serving judge in the Family Division, having been appointed in 2008.

A JCIO statement said: “The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice took into consideration that the judge fell asleep only momentarily and has expressed remorse for doing so.”