Appointments & Retirements
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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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October 1, 2025
New Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster is announced
Find out more about the new appointee to this historic role
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September 25, 2025
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Obi
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by his Majesty the King of Margaret Obi to the High Court. Ms Justice Obi will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where she will bring over 27 years of experience as a solicitor, and seven years of judicial experience as a Deputy High […]
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September 25, 2025
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Norton
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by his Majesty the King of Heather Norton to the High Court. Ms Justice Norton will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where she will bring over 24 years of experience as a barrister, and 18 years of judicial experience as a Recorder and […]
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September 25, 2025
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Birt
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by his Majesty the King of Simon Birt KC to the High Court. Mr Justice Birt will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where he will bring over 27 years of experience as a barrister, and four years of judicial experience as a Deputy […]
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September 23, 2025
Appointment of a High Court Judge: Cawson
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by his Majesty the King of Mark Cawson KC to the High Court. Mr Justice Cawson will be assigned to the Chancery Division where he will bring over 38 years of experience as a barrister, and 25 years of judicial experience as a Recorder, Deputy […]
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September 19, 2025
District Bench Retirement: Prest KC
District Judge Adam Charles Prest KC retires from the District Bench with effect from 19 September 2025. Background information District Judge Prest KC was admitted as a Solicitor in 1988, called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 2005 and took Silk in 2016. He was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 2005 and a District […]
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September 19, 2025
District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Appointment: Dunne
The King has appointed Anthony Dunne 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 North Eastern Circuit, […]
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September 18, 2025
Judge of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Retirement: Hanson
Upper Tribunal Judge Christopher John Hanson retires with effect from 18 September 2025. Background information Upper Tribunal Judge Hanson was admitted as a Solicitor in 1987. He was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 1998, an Immigration Adjudicator in 2002 and a Designated Immigration Judge in 2008. He was appointed a Senior Immigration Judge (now […]