Appointment of new presiding judges announced

The Lord Chief Justice has announced the appointment of new Presiding Judges for the South Eastern, Midland, Northern and Wales Circuits.

The following appointments have been made with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, in succession to Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, Mr Justice Treacy, Mr Justice David Clarke and Mr Justice Davis respectively, all of whom stand down on 31 December 2009.

South Eastern Circuit: Mr Justice Fulford

Midland Circuit: Mr Justice Flaux

Northern Circuit: Mr Justice Ryder

Wales Circuit: Mr Justice Griffith Williams.

Mr Justice Fulford will assume his appointment as Presiding Judge once he has concluded his service as a Judge of the International Criminal Court. Mr Justice Flaux, Mr Justice Ryder and Mr Justice Griffith Williams will be appointed as Presiding Judges with effect from 1 January 2010. All the appointments will come to an end on 31 December 2013.

Notes for editors

1. Mr Justice (Adrian) Fulford was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1978. He was appointed a QC in 1994 and a Recorder in 2001. In 2002 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division. Mr Justice Fulford was appointed a Judge of the International Criminal Court in 2003.
2. Mr Justice (Julian) Flaux was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1978. He was appointed a QC in 1994 and a Recorder in 2000. In 2007 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division.
3. Mr Justice (Ernest) Ryder was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1981. He was appointed a QC in 1997 and a Recorder in 2000. In 2004 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Family Division.
4. Mr Justice (John) Griffith Williams was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1968. He was appointed a Recorder in 1984 and a QC in 1985. He was appointed a Circuit Judge in 2000 and a Senior Circuit Judge and Honorary Recorder of Cardiff in 2001. In 2007 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division.
5. Presiding Judges are responsible for the overall deployment of the judiciary and allocation of cases on their Circuit. They will assign cases to qualified judges on a rota basis, with the aid of listing officers who ensure that the various judges are available to hear cases. They also have responsibility for general supervision of judges on their circuits – for example mentoring, career development and discipline.

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