Appointments & Retirements
-
October 1, 2026
Lord Justice Edis appointed Deputy Head of Criminal Justice
Succeeding Dame Victoria Sharp in the role, Lord Justice Edis started his appointment on Thursday 1 October 2026. His term is for four years
-
October 1, 2026
High Court: Retirement of The Honourable Sir Michael Alexander Soole
The Honourable Sir Michael Alexander Soole retires from the High Court (King’s Bench Division) with effect from 1 October 2026. Recognising the contribution that Sir Michael has made over his judicial career including over 10 years as a High Court Judge, the Lady Chief Justice thanks him for his distinguished service and wishes him the […]
-
October 1, 2026
District Bench Retirement: Singleton
District Judge Paul Nigel Singleton retires with effect from 1 October 2026. Background information District Judge Singleton was admitted as a Solicitor in 1976. He was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1987 and a District Judge in 1998.
-
October 1, 2026
Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) Retirement: Keates
Judge Ian Arthur Keates retires with effect from 1 October 2026. Background information Judge Keates was admitted as a Solicitor in 1982. He was appointed a Road User Charging Adjudicator in 2002 and a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) in 2009.
-
October 1, 2026
Employment Judge (England & Wales) Retirement: Hutchinson
Employment Judge Richard Hutchinson retires with effect from 1 October 2026. Background information Employment Judge Hutchinson was admitted as a Solicitor in 1979. He was appointed as a part-time Chairman of the Industrial Tribunals in 1993, a Part-Time Chairman of the Employment Tribunal in 2000 and a Salaried Employment Judge (England & Wales) in 2010.
-
October 1, 2026
Retirement of the President of the King’s Bench Division: The Right Honourable Dame Victoria Sharp DBE
The Right Honourable Dame Victoria Madeleine Sharp DBE retires as President of the King’s Bench Division with effect from 1 October 2026. Background information Dame Victoria Sharp DBE read law at Bristol University, was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1979 and took silk in 2001. She was appointed as a Recorder in 1998, […]
-
October 1, 2026
Lead Specialist Circuit Judge (Commercial) Appointment: Bird
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill has appointed His Honour Judge Bird to be the Judge in Charge of the London Circuit Commercial Court, with effect from 1 October 2026. Background Information Nigel Bird will continue to be known as His Honour Judge Bird. He […]
-
September 22, 2026
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Eardley KC
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by His Majesty the King of Aidan Eardley KC to the High Court. Mr Justice Eardley will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where he will bring over 24 years of experience as a barrister, and 13 years of judicial experience as a Deputy […]
-
September 22, 2026
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Kolinsky KC
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by His Majesty the King of Daniel Kolinsky KC to the High Court. Mr Justice Kolinsky will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where he will bring over 28 years of experience as a barrister, and eight years of judicial experience as a Deputy […]
-
September 22, 2026
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Lickley KC
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by His Majesty the King of Nigel Lickley KC to the High Court. Mr Justice Lickley will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where he will bring over 43 years of experience as a barrister, and 28 years of judicial experience as a Recorder, […]