Britains Most Senior Judge Set For Early Retirement

Tue, 11 Oct 2011

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, the President of the Supreme Court, has announced he is to step down as the UK’s most senior judge at the end of the current legal year.

The 73-year-old, who became a lawyer back in 1962, will retire on 30 September 2012, 16 months earlier than originally planned. Lord Phillips said this was so he could make an "orderly handover" to his successor during the summer holidays.

He has held the role of Supreme Court President since it was set up in October 2009 and previously held the titles of Senior Law Lord, Master of the Rolls and Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. He was knighted by the Queen in April 2011.

In a statement, Lord Phillips said: "I’ve greatly enjoyed the challenge of presiding over the new Supreme Court and was tempted to continue right up to my retirement age in January 2013."

"I’ve decided, however, that it makes more sense to go at the end of the legal year, so that I can make an orderly handover to my successor in the course of the summer vacation."

The process to appoint Phillips’ successor as president of the court will begin in the New Year. Potential candidates for the prestigious position include Baroness Hale, 66, and Lord Neuberger, who at 63 is the current Master of the Rolls.
add to favouritesnewsletterlink to this pagesend to friendpost comments

Link to this page

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.