South Eastern
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July 27, 2026
New Presiding Judges Appointed
The Lady Chief Justice, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, has announced the appointment of four Presiding Judges. Ms Justice Norton has been appointed to the South Eastern Circuit where she will succeed Mr Justice Johnson. Mrs Justice Eady has been appointed to the North Eastern Circuit where she will succeed Mr Justice […]
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July 18, 2026
Circuit Bench Retirement: Lucas KC
His Honour Judge Noel Lucas KC retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 18 July 2026. Background information His Honour Judge Lucas KC was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1979 and took Silk in 2008. He was appointed a Recorder in 1999 and a Circuit Judge in 2014. He served as the […]
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July 17, 2026
District Judge Appointment: Selby-Lowndes
The King has appointed William Selby-Lowndes to be a District Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable David Lammy 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, based at […]
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July 14, 2026
Appointment of Resident Judge at St Albans Crown Court
The Lady Chief Justice is pleased to announce that, following an Expressions of Interest exercise, HHJ Jonathan Mann KC has been appointed as Resident Judge at St Albans Crown Court for a period of four years commencing from 24 July 2026. The Lady Chief Justice wishes HHJ Jonathan Mann KC well in his new role.
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June 11, 2026
Circuit Bench Retirement: Scarratt
His Honour Judge Richard John Scarratt retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 11 June 2026. Background information His Honour Judge Scarratt was called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1979. He was appointed a Deputy District Judge of the Principal Registry of the Family Division in 2003, a Recorder in 2005 and a […]
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June 8, 2026
Recorder Appointments
The King has appointed 23 Recorders on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, The Right Honourable David Lammy MP, and the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill. The appointments will take effect on 8 June 2026. The Lady Chief Justice has deployed the Recorders as follows: […]
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June 6, 2026
Circuit Bench Retirement: Farquhar
His Honour Judge Stuart Alastair Farquhar retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 6 June 2026. Background information His Honour Judge Farquhar was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1985. He was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1999, a District Judge in 2005, a Recorder in 2009 and was a Family Course […]
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June 1, 2026
District Bench Retirement: Devlin
District Judge Peter John Hugh Devlin retires with effect from 1 June 2026. Background information District Judge Devlin was admitted as a Solicitor in 1983. He was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1999 and a District Judge in 2006.
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May 30, 2026
Circuit Bench Retirement: Downing
Her Honour Judge Ruth Elizabeth Downing retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 30 May 2026. Background information Her Honour Judge Downing was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1978. She was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1999, a Recorder in 2000 and a Circuit Judge in 2008. She was a Diversity and […]
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May 30, 2026
Circuit Bench Retirement: Laing KC DL
Her Honour Judge Christine Katherine Laing KC DL retires as a Circuit Judge with effect from 30 May 2026. Background information Her Honour Judge Laing KC DL was called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1984 and took Silk in 2006. She was appointed a Recorder in 2004 and a Circuit Judge in 2014. She […]