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Three women and seven men promoted to court of appeal Three women and seven men promoted to court of appeal
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Three women judges are to be promoted from the high court to the court of appeal, alongside seven men.Three women judges are to be promoted from the high court to the court of appeal, alongside seven men.
Given the relatively small number of female judges in the high court who are thought to have sought positions as appeal judges, this must be regarded as steady but encouraging progress towards increasing the proportion of women among the senior judiciary.Given the relatively small number of female judges in the high court who are thought to have sought positions as appeal judges, this must be regarded as steady but encouraging progress towards increasing the proportion of women among the senior judiciary.
The appointment of 10 appeal judges on a single day is thought to be unprecedented. Three members of the court of appeal had recently moved up to the supreme court and seven others have either reached retirement age or chosen to leave the bench.The appointment of 10 appeal judges on a single day is thought to be unprecedented. Three members of the court of appeal had recently moved up to the supreme court and seven others have either reached retirement age or chosen to leave the bench.
Among the new women appeal judges, Dame Victoria Sharp has been promoted after just over four years on the bench. This marks her out as a high flyer.Among the new women appeal judges, Dame Victoria Sharp has been promoted after just over four years on the bench. This marks her out as a high flyer.
By contrast, Dame Elizabeth Gloster, whose promotion had been widely predicted following her successful handling of the demanding Berezovsky v Abramovich litigation in 2011-12, had served in the high court for nine years.By contrast, Dame Elizabeth Gloster, whose promotion had been widely predicted following her successful handling of the demanding Berezovsky v Abramovich litigation in 2011-12, had served in the high court for nine years.
Dame Julia Macur, the third woman to join the court of appeal, is a family specialist who has been a high court judge for seven and a half years. Last year, she was appointed to investigate the terms of the Waterhouse inquiry into the north Wales child abuse scandal.Dame Julia Macur, the third woman to join the court of appeal, is a family specialist who has been a high court judge for seven and a half years. Last year, she was appointed to investigate the terms of the Waterhouse inquiry into the north Wales child abuse scandal.
Sir Ernest Ryder, a former merchant banker and officer in the Territorial Army, is another family judge to be promoted. He is currently the judge in charge of modernising the family courts.Sir Ernest Ryder, a former merchant banker and officer in the Territorial Army, is another family judge to be promoted. He is currently the judge in charge of modernising the family courts.
All 10 judges have been chosen to fill perceived gaps in the court of appeal and, potentially, the supreme court. Sir Nicholas Underhill, for example, is a former president of the employment appeal tribunal.All 10 judges have been chosen to fill perceived gaps in the court of appeal and, potentially, the supreme court. Sir Nicholas Underhill, for example, is a former president of the employment appeal tribunal.
Sir Christopher Floyd brings much-needed expertise on patents. So does Sir Geoffrey Vos, who is currently handling the phone-hacking cases brought against News International.Sir Christopher Floyd brings much-needed expertise on patents. So does Sir Geoffrey Vos, who is currently handling the phone-hacking cases brought against News International.
Vos is another high-flyer, promoted after less than four years in the high court. He is one of two Chancery judges to be promoted, the more senior being Sir Michael Briggs.Vos is another high-flyer, promoted after less than four years in the high court. He is one of two Chancery judges to be promoted, the more senior being Sir Michael Briggs.
Sir Adrian Fulford will bring to the court of appeal his experience of trying terrorist cases and other heavy crime. He has an unusual background, having served as the UK member of the international criminal court from 2003 to 2012. Fulford proved his staying power by presiding over the lengthy trial of Thomas Lubanga, the first defendant to be convicted by the court.Sir Adrian Fulford will bring to the court of appeal his experience of trying terrorist cases and other heavy crime. He has an unusual background, having served as the UK member of the international criminal court from 2003 to 2012. Fulford proved his staying power by presiding over the lengthy trial of Thomas Lubanga, the first defendant to be convicted by the court.
Sir Christopher Clarke was counsel to the Bloody Sunday inquiry, from 1998 to 2004, a role that lasted much longer than he had been led to believe and one that delayed his appointment to the high court. His friends will be relieved that the delay did not prevent him reaching the court of appeal.Sir Christopher Clarke was counsel to the Bloody Sunday inquiry, from 1998 to 2004, a role that lasted much longer than he had been led to believe and one that delayed his appointment to the high court. His friends will be relieved that the delay did not prevent him reaching the court of appeal.
Many judges prefer trial work, where they are in charge of their own courts, to hearing appeals where they sit as a bench of two or more judges. Even so, there are bound to be a number of high court judges who will be disappointed that they have not been promoted. Progress in the courts, as in life, is often a case of having the skills and experience that are most needed. In other words, you have to be in the right place at the right time.Many judges prefer trial work, where they are in charge of their own courts, to hearing appeals where they sit as a bench of two or more judges. Even so, there are bound to be a number of high court judges who will be disappointed that they have not been promoted. Progress in the courts, as in life, is often a case of having the skills and experience that are most needed. In other words, you have to be in the right place at the right time.
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