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Following our posting of earlier today regarding the exclusive from Joshua Rozenberg about what he tells us were the four candidates interviewed for the position of the Twelfth Justice of the Supreme Court, we thought that it would be of interest to our readers if we provided some more information about each of the “candidates”. In doing so we give no representations or warranties as to whether Joshua’s list is correct or complete but provide the information on the usual “public service” basis, so that readers can have some idea as to the background and qualifications of the potential candidates.
Lady Justice Arden 
Brief History
Born 1947; Chancery Division 1993 (first woman judge assigned to that Division); Court of Appeal 2000.
Born 1947; Chancery Division 1993 (first woman judge assigned to that Division); Court of Appeal 2000.
Specialisms
Company law
Company law
Distinctions
Arden was chair of the Law Commission from 1996 to 1999. She is now Head of International Judicial Relations for England and Wales
Arden was chair of the Law Commission from 1996 to 1999. She is now Head of International Judicial Relations for England and Wales
Notable case
In 2007, Arden gained attention when giving the leading judgment holding that a young mother-to-be was not required to notify the father she was pregnant when it was her intention to give the child up for adoption on birth.
In 2007, Arden gained attention when giving the leading judgment holding that a young mother-to-be was not required to notify the father she was pregnant when it was her intention to give the child up for adoption on birth.
Writings/Speeches: Arden has written many articles and lectures. Her recent lectures include Peaceful or problematic? The relationship between national supreme courts and supranational courts in Europe (13 November 2009) and Freedom of expression and the role of the Supreme Court – some issues from across the world (31 July 2009)
Notable fact
Arden is married to Supreme Court Justice Lord Mance. They have served together as first instance judges and in the Court of Appeal. If she is elevated to the Supreme Court, they will be the first husband and wife team to serve together in the country’s highest court (indeed she would be only the second woman after Lady Hale).
Arden is married to Supreme Court Justice Lord Mance. They have served together as first instance judges and in the Court of Appeal. If she is elevated to the Supreme Court, they will be the first husband and wife team to serve together in the country’s highest court (indeed she would be only the second woman after Lady Hale).
Short biography from the Judiciary Website, here.
Lord Justice Dyson
Brief History
Born 1943; Queen’s Bench Division 1993; Court of Appeal 2001
Born 1943; Queen’s Bench Division 1993; Court of Appeal 2001
Distinctions
Presiding Judge (Technology and Construction Court) 1998-2001; Deputy Head of Civil Justice 2003-2006
Presiding Judge (Technology and Construction Court) 1998-2001; Deputy Head of Civil Justice 2003-2006
Notable case
Last year, Dyson gave the leading judgment – with Laws LJ dissenting – that the taking and retaining of photographs by the police of peaceful demonstration was unlawful.
Last year, Dyson gave the leading judgment – with Laws LJ dissenting – that the taking and retaining of photographs by the police of peaceful demonstration was unlawful.
Lord Justice Maurice Kay
Brief History
Born 1942; graduate of Sheffield University; High Court 1995; Court of Appeal 2004.
Born 1942; graduate of Sheffield University; High Court 1995; Court of Appeal 2004.
Specialisms
Judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal since 1995, served as Presiding Judge of the Wales and Chester Circuit from 1996 to 1999 and was the Judge in Charge of the Administrative Court since 2002.
Judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal since 1995, served as Presiding Judge of the Wales and Chester Circuit from 1996 to 1999 and was the Judge in Charge of the Administrative Court since 2002.
Distinctions
Chairman of the Judicial Studies Board from 2007.bmp)
Chairman of the Judicial Studies Board from 2007
Notable case
Gave the leading judgment when finding against the claimant in the case of the computer hacker, Gary McKinnon
Gave the leading judgment when finding against the claimant in the case of the computer hacker, Gary McKinnon
Notable fact
Kay is a Liverpool season ticket holder and was present at Hillsbrough disaster in 1989.
Kay is a Liverpool season ticket holder and was present at Hillsbrough disaster in 1989.
Lord Justice Wilson
Brief History
Born 9 May 1945; High Court Judge (Family Division) 1993 to 2005; Court of Appeal 2005
Born 9 May 1945; High Court Judge (Family Division) 1993 to 2005; Court of Appeal 2005
Specialisms
Family law
Family law
Notable case
In 2008, Wilson dismissed the appeal of a husband in a divorce case of an order for ancillary relief obtained by the wide saying “it tactic now not uncommonly employed by some devious husbands intent upon obstructing the claims of their wives following divorce is speciously to make themselves bankrupt” which was reported.
In 2008, Wilson dismissed the appeal of a husband in a divorce case of an order for ancillary relief obtained by the wide saying “it tactic now not uncommonly employed by some devious husbands intent upon obstructing the claims of their wives following divorce is speciously to make themselves bankrupt” which was reported.
Writings / speeches
Editor of The Family Court Practice 2010. In June 2007, Wilson gave the The Hershman / Levy Memorial Lecture to the The Association of Lawyers for Children entitled “The Ears of the Child in Family Proceedings”.
Editor of The Family Court Practice 2010. In June 2007, Wilson gave the The Hershman / Levy Memorial Lecture to the The Association of Lawyers for Children entitled “The Ears of the Child in Family Proceedings”.