Complain about a Judge, Magistrate, Tribunal Member or Coroner

You can complain if you are unhappy with a judge, magistrate, tribunal member or coroner’s:  

  • behaviour 

  • language 

  • conduct  

You must make your complaint within 3 months. 

You cannot use the complaints process to challenge a decision or sentence. You should get legal advice about how to appeal. 

How to complain 

There is a different process for tribunals, magistrates’ courts and judges sitting in other courts. 

Tribunals 

Contact the Tribunal President for the tribunal you went to, for example the employment tribunal or immigration tribunal. 

Magistrates’ court 

Contact the advisory committee for the area your court is in. You can ask a member of staff at court if you are not sure which advisory committee to contact.  

Judges sitting in other courts 

This includes:  

  • Crown Court judges 

  • coroners 

  • district judges 

You can complain online on the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) website. 

If you are not satisfied with how your complaint was dealt with  

Contact the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman (JACO) if you are unhappy with the way your complaint was handled.  

You must contact JACO within 28 days of being notified that your complaint has been dealt with and closed.  

Download and fill in a judicial conduct complaint form.  

Send the form by email or post.  

Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman  

headofoffice@judicialombudsman.gov.uk 

Telephone: 020 3334 2900 

Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman 

Postal Area 1.55 

1st Floor 

The Tower 

102 Petty France 

London 

SW1H 9AJ 

Further information on guidance on complaining to JACO about Judicial Conduct can be found on GOV.UK's website.