New Presiding Judges appointed

The Lord Chief Justice has announced, in concurrence with the Lord Chancellor, the appointment of four Presiding Judges.

Mr Justice Wyn Williams has been appointed to the Wales Circuit where he will succeed Mr Justice Lloyd Jones.

Mr Justice Sweeney has been appointed to South Eastern Circuit where he will succeed Mr Justice Cooke.

Mr Justice Holroyde has been appointed to the Northern Circuit where he will succeed Mr Justice Irwin.

Mrs Justice Thirlwall has been appointed to the Midlands Circuit where she will succeed Mrs Justice Macur.

These appointments are made from 1 January 2012, when the current Presiding Judges step down, to 31 December 2015.

Ends

1. Mr Justice Wyn Williams was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He was called to the Bar, Inner Temple in 1974 and was in practice from 1974-2004. He became a QC in 1992; Bencher of the Inner Temple in 2007; Recorder 1992-2004; Specialist Chancery Circuit Judge for Wales 2004-2007. He has been a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division since 2007.
2. Mr Justice Sweeney was educated at Nottingham University. He was called to the Bar, Middle Temple in 1976, and was in practice from 1976-2008; Bencher of the Middle Temple in 1997; he was appointed a QC in 2000; Recorder from 1997-2008. He has been a Judge of the High Court, Queens Bench Division since 2008.
3. Mr Justice Holroyde was educated at Wadham College, Oxford. He was called to the Bar, Middle Temple in 1977. He became a QC in 1996; Bencher of the Middle Temple in 2005; and was a Recorder from 1997-2008. He has been a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division since 2009.
4. Mrs Justice Thirlwall was educated at Bristol University and Newcastle Polytechnic. She was called to the Bar, Middle Temple in 1982. She became a QC in 1999; Bencher of the Middle Temple in 2008 and was a Recorder from 2000 – 2010. She has been a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division since 2010.
5. 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.