New PSC...

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of The Rt Hon. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury as a Justice and President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom upon the retirement of The R Hon. Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers in September 2012.

Born 1948, Called 1974, QC 1987, Recorder 1990, Chan D 1996, C of A 2004, H of L 2007, MR 2009.

 I commented on the appointment process here. I once appeared before Neuberger J in Bristol - he was very nice.  Seems to favour the fixed fee approach of the Bar to the hourly billing of solicitors, which is good:

In a speech to the Association of Costs Lawyers, he said: “Hourly billing at best leads to inefficient practices, at worst it rewards and incentivises inefficiency.”

He said it penalises those who are able to bring cases to a close quickly, adding: “It also penalises the able, those with greater professional knowledge and skill,

He also did not like Judges appearing on Master Chef.

All in all, a good appointment.