The King, on the advice of the Lady Chancellor, has approved the appointment of Sir Mark Warby as the President of the Kings Bench Division, one of the three most senior judicial positions in the country.
Sir Mark was a member of 5RB for 32 years and joint Head of Chambers at 5RB prior to his appointment as a High Court Judge in the (then) Queen’s Bench Division in 2014. He was Judge in Charge of the Media and Communications List and Chair of the High Court Judges’ Association prior to being made a Lord Justice of Appeal in 2020, since when he has sat on many of the most significant media law appeals.
Sir Mark will succeed Dame Victoria Sharp KC, who is retiring. Dame Victoria was a member of 1 Brick Court, prior to her appointment as a High Court Judge in 2009 and then a Lady Justice of Appeal in 2013. 1 Brick Court were specialists in media law before its dissolution in 2019, upon which seven members of 1 Brick Court joined 5RB.
“We are delighted but not surprised that Sir Mark has achieved such a well-deserved promotion. The news was met with great enthusiasm from both barristers and staff at 5RB. We extend our warmest congratulations to Sir Mark on his new role and our best wishes to Dame Victoria on her retirement. We are pleased to see the continuity of distinguished media lawyers in the role of President of the King’s Bench Division!” said Joint Heads of Chambers Adrienne Page KC and Jane Phillips.