Six High Court judges have been promoted to the Court of Appeal including well-regarded Commercial Court judge Mr Justice Flaux.
The promotions were announced today (13 September) by the Ministry of Justice, and plug gaps created by retirements and the elevation of Sir Terence Etherton to Master of the Rolls on 3 October. Judges across the Queen’s Bench Division, chancery, commercial and family courts are included in the promotions.
One woman got the nod, with Mrs Justice Thirlwall, who has been a judge on the Queen’s Bench Division since 2010, moving up to the Court of Appeal.
Mr Justice Henderson, Mr Justice Hickinbottom, Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Moylan were also elevated to the CoA. The appointments were made by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel chaired by Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd. The Ministry of Justice said: ‘The selection exercise was open to applicants that satisfied the judicial eligibility condition on a seven year basis or were Judges of the High Court.’
Justice Flaux, one of the more well-known names to be elevated, became a Queen’s Counsel in 1994 before becoming a judge of the Queen’s Bench Division in 2007. He was later appointed judge in charge of the commercial court.
tom.moore@legalease.co.uk