At our Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 25 February 2026, we had a return visit from former Judge Dr Jonathan Lewis who had served for 20 years as an Immigration Judge.
Dr Lewis ran through some of the dilemmas that a judge faces, including the difficulties that can occur when a judge is placed in a position resulting from a potential conflict of interest. These can arise when there is a commercial interest that could weaken the perceived independence of a judge, or when a member of the same chambers appears on a contingent fee before a judge, either on behalf of the plaintiff or the defendant.
Dr Lewis examined these potential issues in the light of the oath taken by a judge, either as an oath or as an affirmation. He described the two parts in detail, being the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath.
We then examined the case facing a judge when the plaintiff’s barrister has failed to appear in court for his client on the grounds that he believes there is no case to answer. Should the judge proceed in such circumstances allowing the client appearing as litigant in person, or should the case be delayed, possibly for several weeks, until a replacement can be found? We also learned about the protocol between judges when they decide to swap cases so that the perception and the reality of judicial independence can be maintained.
We then revisited a case introduced the last time Dr Lewis ‘appeared’ before us, dealing with a request for a permit to reside in the UK by a young man who was engaged to be married here to a young lady who was afraid of her father, he having arranged the marriage without her consent. The young lady had passed a note to the court usher stating her account of events and declaring her intention of perjuring herself, in order to stave off violence, if she was called to give evidence to the court. Rather than covering old ground, Dr Lewis asked for and evaluated solutions to the dilemma from the members of the u3a.
This was a most stimulating talk, and we suspect that a further ‘hearing’ will be necessary!
Our next monthly meeting takes place on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 10:00am.