Clip around the ear for judge who banged head on desk

A “SARCASTIC and condescending” judge who banged her head on her desk after a member of the public appeared before her at a family court hearing has been reprimanded.

Judge Judith Hughes, who oversees cases in London, was the subject of an investigation after a complaint was made to the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.

A spokesman said that Judge Hughes, who had been speaking to a litigant not represented by lawyers, had been accused of banging her head and hand on her desk in frustration.

The statement said: “The Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor have considered a complaint that Her Honour Judge Judith Hughes spoke to an unrepresented party in a family case in a sarcastic and condescending manner and banged her hand on her desk in frustration during a hearing.

“They took into consideration that Her Honour Judge Hughes took responsibility for her actions and expressed regret but decided that her behaviour failed to demonstrate the standards expected of a judicial office holder and have issued formal advice.”

The statement did not say where or when the hearing had been held or who had complained.

In 2017, Judge Hughes made news after drawing up a six-page document detailing what contact a two-year-old girl should have with her separated parents following a “tortuous” family court dispute.