Lords Justice of Appeal - Title and Form of Address

Title and Form of Address

In court, a Lord Justice of Appeal is referred to as My Lord or Your Lordship if male, or as My Lady or Your Ladyship if female. The style of 'Lord Justice' is technically used for men and women, although 'Lady Justice' is used in practice. When there is already or has until recently been a judge with the same surname as a new appointee, the new judge will often use a first name as part of his or her official title. Many judges have done this, such as Lord Justice Lawrence Collins (Sir Lawrence Antony Collins).

When referring to a Lord Justice of Appeal in a legal context, the judge is identified by use of the surname (or first name and surname if appropriate), followed by the letters 'LJ'. For example, Lord Justice Bloggs or Lady Justice Bloggs would be referred to as "Bloggs LJ". Where several judges are listed the double letters 'LJJ' are used; for example, "Bloggs, Smith and Jones LJJ". The style was provided for by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1877.

All Lord Justices of Appeal hold knighthoods, granted upon appointment to the High Court (men are usually made a Knight Bachelor and women a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE)). By convention Lord Justices of Appeal are appointed to the Privy Council, entitling them to the honorific 'The Right Honourable'.