High Court of Justice - Judges

Judges

The Justices of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice are informally known as "High Court judges", and in judicial matters are formally styled "The Honourable Mr(s). Justice (Forename) Surname", abbreviated in writing to "Surname J." In Court they are properly addressed as "My Lord", often pronounced M'lud. Since by convention they are knighted upon appointment, socially they are addressed as Sir Forename or Dame Forename, without the prefix "The Hon." which is given only to their office. High Court Judges are sometimes referred to as "red judges" after the colour of their formal robes, in contrast to the junior Circuit Judges who are referred to as "purple judges" for the same reason.

High Court judges are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of Judicial Appointments Commission, from qualified lawyers. HM Government is statutorily required to respect the principle of judicial independence, and both Houses of Parliament have Standing Orders to similar effect. High Court Judges may be removed before their statutory retirement age only by a procedure requiring the approval of both Houses of Parliament.

In addition to full High Court judges, other qualified persons such as retired judges, Circuit Judges and senior Queen's Counsel are individually authorised to sit as Deputy Judges of the High Court to hear particular cases, and while sitting are addressed as though they were full justices. Much judicial work concerned with procedural or non-contentious matters and certain trials are conducted by junior judges known (whether male or female) as "Masters of the High Court".

High Court judges also sit in the Crown Court, which try the more significant criminal cases, but High Court Judges only hear the most serious and important cases, with Circuit Judges and Recorders hearing the majority.