Lord Justice Wilson confirmed as new Justice of Supreme Court

Downing Street has today confirmed the appointments of Wilson LJ and Jonathan Sumption QC as new Justices of the Supreme Court.

Lord Justice Wilson's appointment follows the retirement Lord Saville of Newdigate in October 2010 and will take effect from 26 May 2011. Sir Nicholas was a High Court Judge in the Family Division from 1995 until 2005 when he was appointed to the Court of Appeal. The popular judge is the Editor-in-Chief of Jordan's Family Court Practice and, as President of the Family Mediators Association, he has written the forward to the newly published practical guide Family Mediation by Lisa Parkinson.

In response to his appointment Lord Justice Wilson said: "I am deeply honoured by my appointment which presents a huge challenge and casts a heavy burden of responsibility. I hope to contribute wisely to the development of the law."

Jonathan Sumption QC will take up the appointment as soon as his existing professional commitments are completed, on a date to be agreed with Lord Phillips, President of The Supreme Court.

Lord Phillips said: "I am very pleased to welcome these appointments. The independent selection commission considered a strong field of candidates who applied following open advertisement of the vacancies.

"Lord Justice Wilson will prove a valuable asset to this court as another Judge with a family law background, whose skill and knowledge has shone through all his judgments at the Court of Appeal for England and Wales."

The appointment of Jonathan Sumption QC is controversial as he will come directly from the Bar to the Supreme Court without any experience of sitting as a full-time judge. However, Mr Sumption, joint the head of commercial set Brick Court Chambers, is widely considered as one of the country's leading barristers.