Supreme Court appoints Lord Justice Snowden

His Majesty The King has given his approval for Lord Justice Snowden to join the Supreme Court, marking a significant step in his esteemed legal career. The appointment, made on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, follows recommendations from an independent selection commission, highlighting the collaborative process involved in selecting top judicial figures.

Born and raised in Redcar in the North-East of England, Lord Justice Snowden's educational journey began at a state school. He pursued law at Downing College, Cambridge, before enhancing his expertise with a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School. His legal journey progressed after being called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in 1986, where he practised from Erskine Chambers with a focus on areas such as company law, corporate insolvency, and financial services. Recognised for his contributions, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2003.

Lord Justice Snowden’s judicial path advanced further in 2006 when he took on the role of Recorder of the Crown Court. His reputation grew as he served as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2008 and became a High Court Judge of the Chancery Division in 2015. In 2019, he held the position of Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster and served as the Supervising Judge of the Business and Property Courts for the Northern and North-Eastern Circuits.

In October 2021, Lord Justice Snowden’s advancements continued with his promotion to the Court of Appeal. His commitment to transparency in the judiciary was recognised with his appointment to the Transparency and Open Justice Board in 2024, later becoming the Lead Judge for International Relations for the judiciary in March 2025. As he takes on this new role at the Supreme Court, his wealth of experience and dedication to the legal profession will undoubtedly contribute to the judiciary and the broader justice system in the UK.