Masters of the Bench

Judy was called to the Bar in 1989. She practised as a criminal defence barrister at Garden Court Chambers. She was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2010 and typically defended young defendants tried for murder at the Central Criminal Court. Judy represented families of those who died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. She led a team of barristers who dealt with the pathological and other medical evidence in the inquests which spanned just over two years. She was appointed as a Recorder in 2007 and appointed as a Senior Circuit Judge at the Central Criminal Court in August 2023.

Judy’s parents came to the UK from the Caribbean as part of the Windrush generation, and she was educated at state schools. Given her own background, she is passionate about promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Judy is a trustee with the Kalisher Trust and is a mentor. She values and enjoys being involved in outreach work.