Lord Reed appointed next President of Supreme Court, alongside three new justices

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Photo of Lord Reed

Lord Reed

The Right Hon Lord Reed will succeed Baroness Hale of Richmond as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Lady Hale retires on 10 January 2020 after serving as President since September 2017. Lord Reed will then over as President the following day.

His appointment was made by The Queen, who has conferred a peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on him in recognition of the contribution that he’s made to law and justice reform.

As well as sitting on the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, Lord Reed is a member of the panel of ad hoc judges of the European Court of Human Rights, and a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. He is also the High Steward of Oxford University.

Lord Reed said: “It is a great honour to succeed Lady Hale as President of the Supreme Court. In this year when we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Court, I reflect on the achievements of the distinguished Presidents who have come before me. I am privileged to follow them in working with my colleagues to maintain the fundamental role which the Supreme Court plays in the law of our country.

“As President I will continue to champion the rule of law, alongside promoting public understanding of the role of the judiciary and maintaining the high regard in which the Court is held around the world.”

Photo of Lord Justice Hamblen, Lord Justice Leggatt and Professor Andrew Burrows

Lord Justice Hamblen, Lord Justice Leggatt and Professor Andrew Burrows

The Queen also made three additional appointments to the Supreme Court. Lord Justice Hamblen, Lord Justice Leggatt and Professor Andrew Burrows will join as justices on 13 January, 21 April and 2 June 2020 respectively.

Lady Hale said: “I am delighted to welcome the appointments of three new justices, all of whom are distinguished in their fields, and who will join the Court during 2020. I congratulate Lord Justice Hamblen, Lord Justice Leggatt and Professor Burrows, and am confident that they will contribute to the success of the Court greatly.”

Details of the swearing-in ceremonies will be announced in due course.

Lord Reed’s appointment also means a new Deputy President will now be appointed. The recommendation for this appointment will come from a commission convened by the Lord Chancellor for this purpose. An announcement is expected before January 2020, when it is intended that the new Deputy President should take up office.