South Eastern
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October 26, 2025
Circuit Bench Retirement: Hopmeier
His Honour Judge Michael Andrew Philip Hopmeier retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 26 October 2025. Background information His Honour Judge Hopmeier was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1974 and elected as a Bencher in 2014. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1990, a Recorder in 1994 and a Circuit […]
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October 1, 2025
Circuit Bench Retirement: Shanks
Her Honour Judge (Wilhelmina) Fiona Shanks retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 1 October 2025. Background information Her Honour Judge Shanks was admitted as a Solicitor in 1980. She was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1991, a District Judge in 1998 and a Circuit Judge in 2018. She served as the Designated […]
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October 1, 2025
Circuit Bench Retirement: Daly
His Honour Judge Nigel Jonathan Daly retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 1 October 2025. Background information His Honour Judge Daly was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1979. He was appointed a Recorder in 2002 and a Circuit Judge in 2018.
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September 3, 2025
Circuit Bench Retirement: Jakens
Her Honour Judge Claire Jakens retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 3 September 2025. Background information Her Honour Judge Jakens was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1988. She was appointed a Recorder in 2005 and a Circuit Judge in 2010. She was a Family Course Tutor at the Judicial College from […]
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August 20, 2025
Senior Circuit Judge, Designated Family Judge Appointment: Willans
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Baroness Carr Of Walton-On-The-Hill has appointed His Honour Judge Willans to be a Senior Circuit Judge, Designated Family Judge, based at West London Family Court, with effect from 20 August 2025. Background Information David Willans will continue to be known as His Honour […]
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August 5, 2025
Senior Circuit Judge, Designated Family Judge Appointment: Bedford
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Baroness Carr Of Walton-On-The-Hill has appointed His Honour Judge Bedford to be a Senior Circuit Judge, Designated Family Judge, based at Brighton Family Centre, with effect from 5 August 2025. Background Information Robin Bedford will continue to be known as His Honour Judge […]
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July 31, 2025
Appointment of Resident Judge at Ipswich Crown Court
The Lady Chief Justice is pleased to announce that, following an Expressions of Interest exercise, HHJ Samantha Leigh has been appointed as Resident Judge at Ipswich Crown Court for a period of four years commencing from 16 November 2025. The Lady Chief Justice wishes HHJ Samantha Leigh well in her new role.
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July 28, 2025
New Presiding Judges Appointed
The Lady Chief Justice, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, has announced the appointment of three Presiding Judges. Mr Justice Calver has been appointed to the South Eastern Circuit where he will succeed Mr Justice Murray. Mr Justice Wall has been appointed to the Midland Circuit where he will succeed Mrs Justice Tipples. […]
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July 14, 2025
District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Appointment: Pankhania
The King has appointed Sundeep Pankhania to be a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Shabana Mahmood MP, and the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill. The Lady Chief Justice has deployed him to the South Eastern Circuit, […]
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