“Sarcastic and condescending” district judge issued with formal warning for misconduct in family proceedings

A litigant in family proceedings complained that District Judge Najma Mian had “shouted, verbally lashed out and interrupted” her legal representative throughout the hearing.

Whilst not all of the complaint was made out, a nominated judge found that DJ Mian was “sarcastic and condescending” and had shouted at and interrupted the representative on many occasions.

According to the JCIO, DJ Mian explained that she had “repeatedly” tried to move the case forward and accepted that she had shown frustration in the hearing when faced with the same issues as previous hearings.

However, she did not accept the findings of the nominated judge.

Issuing DJ Mian with a formal warning, the judicial body said the Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the findings of the nominated judge, and took into consideration that DJ Mian had been issued with formal advice in 2021 after she was criticised in an appeal judgment for showing “anger and sarcasm” during a court hearing.

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: “The Guide to Judicial Conduct reminds office-holders to be courteous, tolerant and respect the dignity of all. They should also ensure that their conduct maintains and enhances public confidence in the judiciary.”

Lottie Winson