The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the latest round of High Court judges, with the appointment of 3 Stone Buildings' Sarah Asplin QC set to double the number of women sitting in the Chancery Division.

Asplin is replacing the retiring Mr Justice Calvert-Smith, taking the number of women in the Chancery Division to two out of a bench total of 18. Her new role comes after 28 years at the Bar.

Asplin took silk in 2002 and specialises in pensions, professional negligence and trust and probate disputes.

Meanwhile, 4 New Square's Jeremy Stuart-Smith QC and 20 Essex Street's Stephen Males QC have both been appointed to the Queen's Bench Division.

Stuart-Smith was called to the Bar in 1978 and took silk in 1997. His practice focuses on insurance, professional indemnity, and pharmaceutical and other product liability. He will replace Mr Justice Butterfield on his retirement.

Males was also called to the Bar in 1978 and handed the elite QC kitemark in 1998. His appointment has been made on the elevation of Mr Justice Treacy to the Court of Appeal.

All three candidates have previous experience as deputy High Court judges and will take up their roles next month. There are 108 judges in total sitting in the High Court.

The news comes after five High Court judges were appointed in the same period last year, including the first ever Sikh High Court judge – Matrix Chambers' Rabinder Singh QC.

Singh was appointed alongside four other silks: Andrew Popplewell QC of Brick Court Chambers, Charles Haddon-Cave QC of Quadrant Chambers, Judge Henry Brian Globe QC and Robert Hildyard QC of 4 Stone Buildings.