High Court Appointment

AppointmentHigh Court

The Queen is pleased to approve the appointment of a Justice of the High Court. This appointment will take effect from 11 January 2021. It is anticipated that further announcements will be made.

The candidate approved as a High Court Judge is Joanna Angela Smith QC.

This appointment will fill a vacancy in the High Court following elevations to the Court of Appeal and confirmed retirements. For further information regarding the number of applicants and number of recommended candidates, please see the Judicial Appointments Commission website: https://www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/high-court-judges-2020.

Joanna Angela Smith QC

Joanna Angela Smith QC, aged 52, will be known as The Honourable Mrs Justice Joanna Smith. She was Called to the Bar (L) in 1990 and took Silk in 2009. She was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2017.

She will take up appointment on 11 January 2021 consequential to retirements in the High Court.

The Lord Chief Justice will assign Joanna Angela Smith QC to the Chancery Division.

Read more about the new appointment through her biography here:

https://www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/high-court-judges-2020.