Senior judicial appointments announced

The Lord Chief Justice has announced the following appointments:

President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal

Mr Justice Underhill will succeed Mr Justice Elias on 1 January 2009, and is appointed for three years.

Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine

Mr Justice David Richards will succeed Mr Justice Patten on 1 October 2008, and is appointed for three years. This appointment has been made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster exercises general supervision over the conduct of Chancery business in the North of England.

Judge in charge of the Commercial List

Mr Justice Andrew Smith’s appointment is extended to 30 September 2009.

Presiding Judges

The following appointments have been made with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, in succession to Mr Justice Gross, Mr Justice Simon and Mr Justice Owen, all of whom stand down on 31 December 2008.

South Eastern Circuit: Mr Justice Fulford

North Eastern Circuit: Mr Justice Openshaw

Western Circuit: Mr Justice Field

These appointments are made from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2012.

Mr Justice Cooke’s appointment as Presiding Judge for the South Eastern Circuit has been extended for a further year until 31 December 2011.

Notes for editors

1. Mr Justice (Nicholas) Underhill was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1976. He was appointed a QC in 1992 and a Recorder in 1994. He was Attorney General to the Prince of Wales from 1998 to 2006. In 2006 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division. Mr Justice Underhill is a former Chairman of Bar Pro Bono Unit.
2. Mr Justice David Richards was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1974. He was appointed a QC in 1992. In 2003 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Chancery Division.
3. Mr Justice Andrew Smith was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1974. He was appointed a QC in 1990 and a Recorder in 1996. In 2000 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division. He was the Presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit from 2003 until 2006.
4. 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.
5. Mr Justice (Peter) Openshaw was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1970. He was appointed a Recorder in 1988 and a QC in 1991. He was appointed a Senior Circuit Judge and Honorary Recorder of Preston in 1999. In 2005 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division.
6. Mr Justice (Richard) Field was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1977. He was appointed a QC in 1987 and a Recorder in 1999. In 2002 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division.
7. Mr Justice (Jeremy) Cooke was admitted as a solicitor in 1973 and was called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1976. He was appointed a QC in 1990 and a Recorder in 1998. In 2001 he was appointed a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division. In 2007 he was appointed a Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit.

Ends