Family Law

The Queen has approved the appointment of four Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal.

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of the following as Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal: Mrs Justice King, Mr Justice Sales, Mr Justice Bean and Mr Justice Burnett.

These appointments will fill forthcoming vacancies in the Court of Appeal arising in autumn 2014.

These appointments are required in the light of the retirement of Sir Alan Moses, Sir Colin Rimer, Sir John Goldring and Sir Maurice Kay.

The appointment of Mrs Justice King means that there are now eight women Lady Justices of Appeal.

The appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of the Court of Appeal are made by Her Majesty 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 Judge.

In accordance with section 79 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 as amended by the Crime and Courts Act 2013 the panel determined the selection process to be followed. In accordance with s10(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the selection exercise was open to applicants that satisfied the judicial eligibility condition on a 7 year basis or were Judges of the High Court.

Biographical notes

Mrs Justice King

Mrs Justice King was called to the Bar at Inner Temple in 1979. She became Queen’s Counsel in 1999. She was appointed Assistant Recorder in 1996–2000; Recorder in 2000–08; a Deputy High Court Judge, 2000–08 and appointed as a High Court Judge in the Family Division since 2008 to date. From 1992-2011 she was Chairman of Governors at Queen Margaret’s School. Has been a Member of Chapter, York University and a Fellow of International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2004 and received a Hon. D Laws Hull in 2011.

Mr Justice Burnett

Mr Justice Burnett was called to the Bar, Middle Temple in 1980. Bencher in 2001; in practice as barrister, Temple Garden Chambers in 1982–2008 (Head of Chambers, 2003–08). Crown Counsel, Common Law, 1992–98. He became Queen’s Counsel in 1998. Appointed Assistant Recorder, 1998–2000; Recorder, 2000–08; a Deputy High Court Judge, 2008. Deputy Chamber, Security Vetting Appeals Panel, 2009. He was appointed Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division, in 2008 and has been the Presiding Judge on the Western Circuit since 2011.

Mr Justice Sales

Mr Justice Sales was called to the Bar, Lincoln’s Inn in 1985. Barrister in 1986–2008. First Treasury Junior Counsel (Common Law) in 1997–2006. Appointed Assistant Recorder in 1999–2001; Recorder in 2001–08; Deputy High Court Judge in 2004–08. He became Queen’s Counsel in 2006. First Treasury Counsel (Common Law), 2006–08. Member of the Panel of Chairmen, Competition Appeal Tribunal, 2008–; Deputy Chairman of the Boundary Commission for England, 2009 to date; Vice-President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, 2014-. He was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Chancery Division in 2008.

Mr Justice Bean

Mr Justice Bean was called to the Bar, Middle Temple in 1976. Bencher in 2001. Appointed as a Recorder in 1996–2004. Became Queen’s Counsel in 1997. Was appointed Presiding Judge, South East Circuit 2007–10. Chairman of the General Council of the Bar in 2002 (Vice-Chairman in 2001). Employment Law Bar Association in 1999–2001. Appointed Lay member of Immigration Services Tribunal in 2001–04. He was appointed as a High Court Judge, Queen’s Bench Division in 2004. He was a Lay Member, GMC, 2003–04; Member of the Civil Justice Council, 2003–05; Judicial Appointments Commissioner, 2010– 2014.