Lord Mance named as UK Supreme Court Deputy President

Lord Mance has been appointed Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court.

The position was previously held by Baroness Hale of Richmond, who has been appointed President of the Court following the retirement of Lord Neuberger. Lord Mance's appointment was made by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, following the recommendation of an independent selection commission.

The role of Deputy President involves working alongside the President to oversee the judicial work of the court, and liaising closely with the chief executive who manages the court’s administration. The Deputy President also shares a wider leadership and ambassadorial role with the President, undertaking a range of engagements to promote understanding of the role of the judiciary and senior appellate courts in the UK and to foster international links.

Lord Mance is one of the original Supreme Court Justices who moved to the court from the House of Lords in 2009 when the court first opened. He became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 2005. From 1999 to 2005 he was a Lord Justice of Appeal and from 1993 to 1999 a Judge of the High Court, Queen's Bench Division, where he also sat in the Commercial Court.

He read law at University College, Oxford, spent time with a Hamburg law firm and then practised at the commercial bar and sat as a recorder until 1993. He chaired various Banking Appeals Tribunals and was a founder director of the Bar Mutual Indemnity Insurance Fund. He represented the United Kingdom on the Council of Europe's Consultative Council of European Judges from 2000 to 2011, being elected its first chair from 2000 to 2003.

Lord Mance commented: “It is a privilege to succeed Lady Hale as Deputy President of the Supreme Court after her appointment as President. I look forward to playing my part in the leadership of the court and in furthering the collaborative relationships which exist with the President, with the chief executive and within the court generally, as well as to promoting the court’s role and activities both as an established institution in our national life and internationally.”

Lady Hale added: “I am delighted to welcome Lord Mance as my successor as Deputy President of the Court. He has already made a huge contribution, as a presider and as the lead Justice for our international relations with other courts and judicial networks. I am sure that together we shall make a great team.”

Lord Mance will be officially sworn in as Deputy President at a special ceremony at the Supreme Court on 2 October.