Family Law

This month the Rt Hon Lord Justice Thorpe retires from the judiciary, the Court of Appeal and particularly as Head of International Family Justice for England and Wales, a post he has held since 2005.

To mark the tremendous stature and recognition Sir Mathew  has brought to  the post, Jordan Publishing and the editors of International Family Law, of which he is Consultant Editor, decided to produce a Special Issue in his honour with contributions from over 30 leading members of the international judiciary and academic life including the Lord Chief Justice and Baroness Butler-Sloss.

The Special Issue, signed by all the contributors, was presented to a surprised but very appreciative Sir Mathew (pictured) at an international judicial network conference which he was hosting in Windsor on 19 July. Copies of the Special Issue were given to all those attending the conference and Sir Mathew, in turn, kindly wrote a personal message in each of the delegates' copies.

After graduating from Oxford, Sir Mathew was called to the Bar in 1961. He practiced in various areas of law until he took Silk in 1980, thereafter he specialised in family law. He was appointed a judge of the High Court, Family Division, in 1988 and Lord Justice of Appeal in 1995. In 2005 Sir Mathew appointed Head of International Family Justice for England and Wales. 

Sir Mathew is will continue in his role as Consultant Editor to International Family Law.