Leveson counsel Jay among trio appointed to High Court Bench

Lead counsel to the Leveson Inquiry Robert Jay QC has been appointed a High Court Judge. Jay joins the Queen's Bench Division alongside two other new appointees Sue Carr QC and Judge Andrew Gilbart. Jay is replacing the retiring Mr Justice Roderick Evans and will take up the role from 4 June. In July 2011 he was appointed to join Lord Justice Leveson on the public inquiry into cases of phone-hacking and other wrongdoing at now-defunct Sunday tabloid, the News of the World.

May 09, 2013 at 12:16 PM

2 minute read

By Anna Reynolds

Lead counsel to the Leveson Inquiry Robert Jay QC has been appointed a High Court Judge.

Jay joins the Queen's Bench Division alongside two other new appointees Sue Carr QC and Judge Andrew Gilbart.

Jay is replacing the retiring Mr Justice Roderick Evans and will take up the role from 4 June. In July 2011 he was appointed to join Lord Justice Leveson on the public inquiry into cases of phone-hacking and other wrongdoing at now-defunct Sunday tabloid, the News of the World.

Jay, who was called to the Bar in 1981 and took silk in 1998, practices administrative and public law and professional discipline and regulatory law. He is joint head of Chambers at 39 Essex Street.

Meanwhile, 4 New Square's Carr QC, who replaces Mr Justice Stadlen following his retirement, which will take effect from 14 June. Gilbart is replacing Mr. Justice Fulford from 29 July, who is moving up to the Court of Appeal.

Earlier this week (7 May) the Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC) began proceedings to appoint a new Lord Chief Justice following the retirement of Lord Judge in September.

Candidates expected to be in the running to replace Lord Judge include: Court of Appeal judge Lady Justice Hallett; Lord Justice Hughes, the vice-president of the criminal division; Queen's Bench Division (QBD) president Lord Justice Thomas; and Lord Justice Leveson, the head of the sentencing council for England and Wales.