A district judge, is trying to raise £10,000 to fight a Court of Appeal decision that judges cannot be classed as workers by requesting donations towards her cause. At the point of writing just over 25% of the target funds have been raised.
The judge had voiced concerns about the “poor conditions” and “excessive workload” faced by judges and claims that after raising these she was subjected to bullying and undue stress at work.
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 workers are protected from detrimental treatment should they ‘blow the whistle’ on their employer, however judges are treated as ‘office holders’ and not workers.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the judge’s claim last year, primarily as it did not find a contract between her and the Lord Chancellor, however, leave to appeal to the Supreme Court has been granted, and the case is to be heard in June 2019.
The Ministry of Justice have denied the claims and stated that there are policies in place to “protect the welfare of judicial office holders”.