JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS AND RETIREMENTS AT THE END OF ANOTHER JUDICIAL YEAR

NEW SENIOR PRESIDENT OF TRIBUNALS:

To preside over the Presidents of the Chambers of the UT and FTT, Ryder LJ to replace Sullivan LJ who is retiring.  He's a TD, DL of Greater Manchester, Chancellor of Bolton University and formerly of the Fam D.

NEWLY NAMED TO THE C OF A:

The following will be swapping red for gold (tabs) in the near future:

Mr Justice Hamblen

Mr Justice Hamblen was called to the Bar, Lincoln’s Inn, 1981 and practised at the Commercial Bar from 1982 to 2008. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1997. He was appointed Assistant Recorder in 1999–2000; Recorder, 2000–08. A Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division, since 2008 and designated as a Judge of the Commercial Court.

Mr Justice Lindblom

Mr Justice Lindblom was called to the Bar of England and Wales at Gray’s Inn in 1980. He was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2002. He was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in 2000 and 2008, and to the Bar of the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2006. He became a Bencher of Gray’s Inn in 2003. He practised as a barrister from 1981 to 2010, was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1996, became a Recorder in 2001 and was authorised to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2009. He has been a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, since October 2010, President of the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) since 2013, and Planning Liaison Judge (the lead judge of the Planning Court) since 2014.  Will be interesting to see who will take over the Lands Chamber and the Planning Court?

Mr Justice (David) Richards

(with the High Sherriff of Shropshire, wife of Charles Flint QC)

Mr Justice (David) Richards was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, 1974. Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn, in 2000. Junior Counsel (Chancery), DTI, 1989–92. He became Queen’s Counsel 1992. Contrib 2000–, Joint General Editor 2009–, Buckley on the Companies Acts. A Judge of the High Court, Chancery Division, since 2003. Vice Chancellor, County Palatine of Lancaster, 2008–11.

Mr Justice Simon

Mr Justice Simon was called to the Bar, Middle Temple, 1973. Bencher in 1999. He became Queen’s Counsel in 1991. A Recorder in 1998–2002. A Deputy High Court Judge in 1999–2002. A Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division, since 2002; Presiding Judge, North Eastern Circuit, 2006–08.  

He is son of Lord SImon of Glaisdale, who I don't think sat in the C of A, because he was President of the Old Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division, after being an MP and Solicitor General.  He entered the H of L as a Life Peer, but was entitled to sit in the Appellate Committee.

And they have started replacing them already:

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Henry James Carr Esq QC, to be a Justice of the High Court with effect from 1 October 2015.

The Lord Chief Justice will assign Mr Carr to the Chancery Division.

Mr Carr, 57, was called to the Bar (G) in 1982, and took Silk in 1998. He was appointed as a Deputy Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal in 2007, and is approved to sit as a deputy High Court Judge.  He is a specialist IP practitioner from 11 South Square.

& most regretfully, Swift J has retired early, I would have look forward to seeing her rise to the highest judicial offices:

Dame Caroline Swift DBE (60) was called to the Bar (I) in 1977, elected as a Bencher in 1997 and took silk in 1993. She was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1992, a Recorder in 1995, a deputy High Court Judge (Queen’s Bench and Chancery Divisions) in 2000 and was Leading Counsel to the Shipman Inquiry from 2001 to 2005. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division in 2005 and was a Member of the Judicial College Senior Judiciary Planning Group from 2010 to 2014.