New Presiding Judges appointed
The Lord Chief Justice, with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, has announced the appointment of four Presiding Judges.
Mr Justice Choudhury has been appointed to the Midland Circuit where he will succeed Mr Justice Pepperall.
Mrs Justice Ellenbogen has been appointed to the Northern Circuit where she will succeed Mrs Justice Yip.
Mr Justice Johnson has been appointed to the South Eastern Circuit where he will succeed Mr Justice Bryan.
Mr Justice Nicklin has been appointed to Wales where he will succeed Mrs Justice Jefford.
The appointments are made from 1 January 2024, when the current Presiding Judges step down, to 31 December 2027.
Background notes:
Mr Justice Akhlaq Choudhury was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1992 and took silk in 2015. He was appointed a Recorder in 2009, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2016 and a High Court Judge in October 2017. He was President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal from 2019 to 2021.
Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen wascalled to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1992 and took silk in 2010. She was appointed as a Recorder in 2016, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2017 and a High Court Judge in November 2020.
Mr Justice Jeremy Johnsonwas called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1994 and took silk in 2008. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2009, a Deputy High Court in 2016 and a High Court Judge in October 2019.
Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin was called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1993 and took silk in 2013. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2009, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2017 and a High Court Judge in October 2017.
Presiding Judges are responsible for the deployment of the judiciary and allocation of cases on their Circuit. They also have a responsibility for general supervision of judges on their circuits.