1 July 2025
Congratulations to Master Birss and Master Mercer.
Master Birss (Lord Justice Birss) has been appointed the Chancellor of the High Court with effect from 1 November 2025. He is currently the Deputy Head of Civil Justice and Lead Judge for Artificial Intelligence.
Master Mercer (Hugh Mercer KC) has been elected as the UK’s next judge to the European Court of Human Rights. He was elected on 24 June by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He will serve a nine-year term. He specialises in public, regulatory and international law. He also chairs the International Committee of the Bar of England and Wales.