HM Government

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Mrs Justice Asplin as Lady Justice of Appeal and the following as Lord Justices of Appeal: Mr Justice Coulson, Mr Justice Holroyde, Mr Justice Peter Jackson, Mr Justice Leggatt, Mr Justice Newey and Mr Justice Singh.

These appointments will fill forthcoming vacancies in the Court of Appeal arising from autumn 2017.

These appointments are to be made in light of forthcoming retirements in the Court of Appeal and vacancies that arise as a consequence of a number of changes including the appointment of Sir Ian Burnett as Lord Chief Justice and Sir Adrian Fulford as Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

The appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of the Court of Appeal are made by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel.

Selection panel

The selection panel was chaired by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd. The other panel members were Sir Terence Etherton, the Master of the Rolls; Lord Kakkar, the Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission; and two lay Commissioners of the Judicial Appointments Commission: Professor Noel Lloyd and Professor Emily Jackson.

In accordance with section 79 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 as amended by the Crime and Courts Act 2013, the panel determined the selection process to be followed. In accordance with s10(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the selection exercise was open to applicants that satisfied the judicial eligibility condition on a 7-year basis or were Judges of the High Court.

Appointments

Mrs Justice Asplin

Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1984. She was appointed both a Master of the Bench and Queen’s Counsel in 2002. She was made a Deputy High Court Judge in 2007 and a Justice of the High Court (Chancery Division) in October 2012. She is responsible for issues and co-ordination in relation to litigants in person on behalf of the Judiciary and has written a Guide to the Chancery Applications Court for Litigants in Person.

Mr Justice Coulson

Called to the bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1982 after graduating from the University of Keele. He became a well-respected junior at the Technology and Construction Bar from 1983 onwards. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2001 and he became a Recorder the same year. In 2004, he was appointed a Senior Circuit Judge in the Technology and Construction Court. In 2008 he was appointed as a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division. He was a presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit between 2011 and 2014. He was appointed as the Judge in Charge of the Technology and Construction Court in 2016.

Mr Justice Holroyde

Called to the bar (Middle Temple) in 1977 and took silk in 1996. He was appointed as a Recorder in 1997 and as a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division in January 2009. He was a Presiding Judge on the Northern Circuit from 2012 until 2015.

Mr Justice Peter Jackson

Called to the bar (Inner Temple) in 1978 and took silk in 2000. He was appointed as a Recorder in 1998, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2003 and a High Court Judge in the Family Division in October 2010.

Mr Justice Leggatt

Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1982. He practised as a barrister specialising in commercial law. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1997. He became a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2002 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2008. He was made a Justice of the High Court (Queen’s Bench Division) in October 2012.

Mr Justice Newey

Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1982. He practised at the Chancery Bar between 1983 and his appointment as a High Court Judge at the beginning of 2010. Before taking silk in 2001, he was one of the Junior Counsel to the Crown (Chancery/A Panel) (from 1990) and Junior Counsel to the Charity Commissioners (from 1991). In 2003 he became an (Acting) Deemster of the Isle of Man, and in 2006 he was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge. He also served as a DTI inspector, inquiring into the affairs of MG Rover and associated companies. He has been the Chancery Supervising Judge for the Midland, Wales and Western Circuits since 2014.

Mr Justice Singh

Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1989 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2002. His practice was mainly in the areas of public law, human rights and employment law. He was one of the Junior Counsel to the Crown, serving on the A Panel from 2000 to 2002. He was also the Additional Junior Counsel to the Inland Revenue from 1997 to 2002 and Chair of the Administrative Law Bar Association from 2006 to 2008. He was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2003 and a Recorder of the Crown Court from 2004. He was appointed as a High Court Judge in 2011. He was a Presiding Judge on the South Eastern Circuit from January 2013 until December 2016.

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Innovate UK has joined up with Getty images and UK photographer, Amelia Troubridge, to host a new photography exhibition.

The infocus women in innovation exhibition challenges the perception of what it looks like to be a female innovator in 2017. The exhibition is part of Innovate UK’s infocus campaign aimed at increasing the low number of women entrepreneurs applying for funding.

Research shows that:

• gender diverse companies are 15% more likely to deliver better financial returns
• Getty Images online searches for ‘female business executive’ have increased 350% and ‘female entrepreneur’ by 66% over the past 2 years
• the proportion of UK women in entrepreneurial activity is around half the level of men
• only 14% of all people working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) are women

Entrepreneur Jenna Bowen, founder of Cotton Mouton Diagnostics, in front of her photograph.

The exhibition profiles 12 of the winners of the women in innovation awards, Innovate UK’s funding competition open only to women. Their innovations range from the optimisation of cancer treatment and the creation of sustainable alternatives to animal products to air-pollution and waste solutions.

The exhibition also celebrates the differences and diversity among this group of female innovators – such as background, age, education, location and approach.

Dr Ruth McKernan, Innovate UK Chief Executive, commented:

Research shows that harnessing the skills of female entrepreneurs would significantly enhance UK economic growth and improve the breadth of management teams.

One barrier identified from our own analysis is the relative lack of female role models. What better way to address this than to partner with Getty Images, the world’s leading image database and Amelia Troubridge, the world-renowned photographer, to showcase some amazing women?

Dr Ruth McKernan, Innovate UK chief executive, at the launch of the Amelia Troubridge exhibition.

Innovate UK launched the infocus programme in 2016. Its aims are to:

• get more women innovating in business
• give female entrepreneurs the support they need to grow their businesses
• create new role models for the next generation

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2014 – present FCO, Head, Arms Export Policy 2013 FCO Various assignments working on crisis management, high profile visits and the Arms Trade Treaty 2008 – 2012 Istanbul, Her Majesty’s Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Investment for Turkey 2004 – 2008 Moscow, Her Majesty’s Consul General and Director of Operations 2002 – 2004 Seconded as UK Political Adviser, NATO JFC Brunssum 1999 – 2001 FCO, Deputy Head, Non-Proliferation Department 1996 – 1999 Minsk, Her Majesty’s Ambassador 1994 – 1996 Language training (Russian) 1992 – 1994 FCO, Head of South Africa Section, Africa Department 1990 – 1992 FCO, Head of Economic & Sanctions Department, UN Department 1987 – 1990 Dakar, Second Secretary 1986 – 1987 FCO, Desk Officer for Hungary and Czechoslovakia 1985 – 1986 FCO, Desk Officer for India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives 1985 Joined FCO   read more

Environment Secretary Michael Gove pledged action to reduce plastic waste choking our oceans as he set out his ambition for the UK to lead the world in environmental protection.

Around eight million tonnes of plastic makes its way into oceans each year, posing a serious threat to our natural and marine environment – experts estimate plastic is ingested by 31 species of marine mammals and over 100 species of sea birds.

As new figures published today revealed more than nine billion fewer plastic bags were used since the government introduced a 5p charge, an 83 per cent reduction, the Environment Secretary set out further plans to prevent other sources of plastic finding their way into our oceans and seas during a speech entitled ‘Delivering a Green Brexit’ today.

Mr Gove confirmed legislation will be introduced this year to ban the sale and manufacture of microbeads – tiny pieces of plastic that are easily swallowed by marine life – in cosmetics and personal care products such as toothpastes and shower gels.

Speaking at WWF UK on Friday morning, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

Eight million tonnes of plastic are discarded into the world’s oceans each year, putting marine wildlife under serious threat.

In October 2015, the government introduced the 5p carrier bag charge. Figures released today show that policy’s enormous success – nine billion fewer carrier bags distributed since the charge was introduced, a fall of 83 per cent. More than £95million raised from the charge has been donated to environmental, educational and other good causes.

Last year the government launched a consultation on banning microbeads in personal care products, which have such a devastating effect on marine life. We are responding to that consultation today and we will introduce legislation to implement that ban later this year.

But there is more we can do to protect our oceans, so we will explore new methods of reducing the amount of plastic – in particular plastic bottles – entering our seas, improve incentives for reducing waste and litter, and review the penalties available to deal with polluters – all part of a renewed strategy on waste and resources that looks ahead to opportunities outside the EU.

Since its introduction, the 5p plastic bag charge has reduced use by over nine billion bags – enough to wrap around the world more than 100 times. Money raised from the charge has generated £95 million for good causes.

An expert group announced as part of the government’s Litter Strategy has begun work to explore ways to reduce the use of commonly littered items such as drink bottles, as well as considering the advantages and disadvantages of different types of deposit and reward and return schemes.

The government is also bringing forward legislation to help councils tackle littering from vehicles and will shortly publish our response to a consultation into increasing the fixed penalty fine for littering.

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The Pubs Code giving tied pub tenants more rights and protections reaches its first anniversary today. Paul Newby, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, said: “Today is a major milestone for this new law which has brought significant change to the pubs sector.

“Parliament has given new rights to tied pub tenants of the largest pub-owning businesses. Over the past 12 months interest in the Code has been high and I am pleased that tenants have been exercising their rights.

“As the first PCA, it is my responsibility to ensure that the Code delivers its important rights and protections for tied tenants. I am committed to providing fair, accurate and timely information to tenants about their Code rights, and access to effective and impartial redress when things go wrong.

“At all times I have gone, and will go, where the evidence takes me when arbitrating, investigating and enforcing the Code.

“Today I have published on the PCA website my first annual report covering the initial nine months of operation. This describes among other activities the work to set up the PCA office, engagement with tenants and other stakeholders, and progress on arbitrations up to 31 March.

“On Wednesday I will be publishing updated figures showing the impact of the Pubs Code over the past year. This release will include information on the number of enquiries received by the PCA Enquiry Line over the past year and the number of cases referred to the PCA for arbitration. For the first time I will indicate the proportion of referrals that relate to each pub-owning business as the figures have now reached a point where I am satisfied we can protect the confidentiality of individual cases.

“This first-year data contains significant figures and shows the sector is engaging robustly with the new law.

“I know that there are concerns within the tenant community about the way the Code has operated and some frustration over the time that arbitrations can take to resolve. But the PCA must deal with all cases in an impartial and lawful manner. To do otherwise would simply increase the risk of legal challenge with the inevitable consequence of greater delay and cost.

“But as that new law beds in, cases are completed and key issues determined, I am confident that I will be able to report further progress in the coming year.

“Year 2 of the Code will be another busy year, but I am convinced that it will also be when the Pubs Code comes into its own and demonstrates the tangible benefits and real options it gives to tied tenants.”

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