Three put forward as UK's next human rights judge

Three barristers have been shortlisted for appointment as the next UK judge of the European Court of Human Rights, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

Following an open selection process administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission for England & Wales, Tim Eicke QC, Murray Hunt Jessica Simor QC will go forward for final election by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe during its plenary session from 20-24 June 2016. The winning candidate will serve a nine year term.

Mr Eicke, of Essex Court Chambers, specialises in the application of EU law to human rights; Ms Simor is a human rights and public law barrister at Matrix Chambers. Mr Hunt is the legal adviser to the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights, and previously practised at Matrix Chambers, specialising in public law and human rights. 

The appointment will take effect as the UK Government continues to consider its future relationship with the European Convention and the Human Rights Court.