Nicholas Wall (judge)
Encyclopedia
Sir Nicholas Peter Rathbone Wall (born 14 March 1945) is an English judge. He was appointed President of the Family Division
and Head of Family Justice for England and Wales on 13 April 2010.
Wall was educated at Dulwich College
from 1956 to 1963. He was called to the Bar at Grays Inn in 1969 and was made a Bencher in 1993. He took silk
in 1988. Wall was appointed as an Assistant Recorder in 1988 and a Recorder in 1990. He was appointed to the Family Division of the High Court
in 1993, receiving the customary knighthood
. Wall was a Judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (2001–2003) the Administrative Court (2003–2004). He was appointed to the Court of Appeal
and the Privy Council in 2004.
Wall was nominated by the appointments panel, headed by Supreme Court President Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers
, but Justice Secretary Jack Straw
asked them to reconsider. The panel once again put Wall forward, and he was subsequently appointed to the position.
President of the Family Division
The President of the Family Division is the head of the Family Division of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales. The Family division was created in 1971, out of the former Admiralty Court and probate courts into the then Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division.As of 13 April 2010,...
and Head of Family Justice for England and Wales on 13 April 2010.
Wall was educated at Dulwich College
Dulwich College
Dulwich College is an independent school for boys in Dulwich, southeast London, England. The college was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a successful Elizabethan actor, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars as the foundation of "God's Gift". It currently has about 1,600 boys,...
from 1956 to 1963. He was called to the Bar at Grays Inn in 1969 and was made a Bencher in 1993. He took silk
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1988. Wall was appointed as an Assistant Recorder in 1988 and a Recorder in 1990. He was appointed to the Family Division of the High Court
High Court of Justice
The High Court of Justice is, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, one of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
in 1993, receiving the customary knighthood
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
. Wall was a Judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (2001–2003) the Administrative Court (2003–2004). He was appointed to the Court of Appeal
Court of Appeal of England and Wales
The Court of Appeal of England and Wales is the second most senior court in the English legal system, with only the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom above it...
and the Privy Council in 2004.
Wall was nominated by the appointments panel, headed by Supreme Court President Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers
Nicholas Phillips, Baron Phillips of Worth Matravers
Nicholas Addison Phillips, Baron Phillips of Worth Matravers, KG PC is the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Before 1 October 2009 his title was Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. He was Master of the Rolls from 2000 to 2005 and Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2005...
, but Justice Secretary Jack Straw
Jack Straw
Jack Straw , British politician.Jack Straw may also refer to:* Jack Straw , English* "Jack Straw" , 1971 song by the Grateful Dead* Jack Straw by W...
asked them to reconsider. The panel once again put Wall forward, and he was subsequently appointed to the position.