By Gavin Mackintosh-
Cambridge educated Lady Justice Simler has received King Charles’s blessing to appointed to the UK Supreme Court following the retirement of Lord Kitchin last month.
As the judiciary’s diversity champion, this appointment will contribute to the commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the UK’s highest court.
Lady Justice Simler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Supreme Court. She was called to the bar by Inner Temple in 1987 and has had a distinguished legal career.
Over the years, she has held various roles, including being a recorder on the south east circuit in 2002, a deputy High Court judge in 2010, and a High Court judge in 2013.
In 2015, she assumed the role of president of the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Throughout her career, Lady Justice Simler has made significant contributions to the legal field, particularly in areas such as employment law, tax, public law, and criminal law.
In 2002, Simpler was appointed Recorder on the South East circuit. She became a Deputy High Court judge in 2010.
Following this, Simler became a High Court Judge in October 2013. In January 2015, she was appointed President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal for a three-year term.
Having served as High Court liaison judge for diversity, she was appointed chair of the Diversity Committee of the Judges’ Council in 2019. She was promoted to Court of Appeal in June 2019.
Her valuable experience will be of added benefit to the Supreme Court.
Moreover, her commitment to diversity and inclusivity is evident through her role as High Court liaison judge for diversity and chair of the diversity committee of the Judges’ Council.
Her appointment to the Supreme Court further highlights the importance of diversity in the judiciary, reinforcing the court’s commitment to maintaining its status as a world-leading institution.
Supreme Court president Lord Reed commented on the appointment, stating that Lady Justice Simler “will bring exceptional experience and ability to the court following her distinguished career as a barrister and judge.
Her experience in employment law, tax, public law, and criminal law will be highly valuable to the Supreme Court and will further strengthen us as a world-leading court.” This appointment is not only a recognition of Lady Justice Simler’s achievements but also a significant step forward in ensuring a diverse and inclusive judiciary in the United Kingdom.
Welcoming the announcement, the President of the Supreme Court, The Right Hon The Lord Reed of Allermuir said:
I am delighted to welcome Lady Justice Simler as a Justice to the Supreme Court.
She will bring exceptional experience and ability to the Court following a distinguished career as a barrister and Judge. Her experience in employment law, tax, public law and criminal law will be highly valuable to the Supreme Court and will further strengthen us as a world-leading Court.