Woke guidance leaves panicked judge asking PERMISSION to call jury 'ladies and gentlemen'
Justice Eyre was afraid of falling foul of woke new guidance
Google/Judicary UK
New guidance issued to judges requires them to consider if they risk upsetting anyone when address them in court - including criminals.
Advice from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary said that judges must treat everyone in the court "respectfully" and think about how their "words and behaviour can affect others".
The confusing new guidelines left one judge overseeing a court in Wales asking jurors in they would be offended if he addressed them as "ladies and gentleman".
Justice Eyre was left worried he risked upsetting non-binary people if he did not first ask if anyone was offended by the phrase.
The judge made teh remakrs at the opening of a murder trial at Mold Crown Court in North Wales
Opening a murder trial at Mold Crown Court in North Wales, the judge told the jury he intended to use "ladies and gentleman" because it seemed more polite.
He said: "I know not everyone takes that view.
"Some people think it’s old-fashioned or offensive or excludes people who don’t identify as binary."
According to the Telegraph he added: "If any one of you would prefer me to address you as members of the jury, not ladies and gentlemen, please give a note saying that and I will switch."
The guidance was introduced earlier this year after research commissioned by Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon found there was evidence of discrimination and bullying in courtrooms.
The updated "statement of expected behaviour" urged judges to "help foster a positive working environment, where diversity is recognised and valued, and everyone is treated with dignity and respect".
Lord Burnett said in a statement following his report: "New inclusion training focuses on how best to build on the positive elements of our culture and recognising the negative impact of exclusionary behaviour – and feeling confident to challenge – whether experienced directly or indirectly.
"We encourage you to have conversations with your leadership judges on how to contribute to the wide range of activities.
Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon first introducedteh guidance
PA
"We are grateful to all judicial office holders for their commitment to a diverse and inclusive judiciary."
A survey of nearly 22,000 judicial office holders in England and Wales was conducted to help form he guidance.
It included 13,000 magistrates and more than 8,500 salaried and fee-paid judges.
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