Senior Presiding Judge

The Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales is a member of the Court of Appeal appointed by the Lord Chief Justice to supervise the Presiding Judges for the various judicial circuits of England and Wales. At least two Presiding Judges are appointed by the Lord Chief Justice for each of six circuits to supervise the work of the local judiciary (circuit judges, district judges, recorders, and magistrates). The Senior Presiding Judge is responsible for deployment and personnel issues for all circuits and acts as a "general point of liaison" for the courts, judiciary and Government.

The post dates to the appointment in 1983 of Sir Tasker Watkins, who remains the longest-serving holder of the office. The arrangement was put on a statutory footing with the enactment of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

Following the enactment of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, increased duties for the Senior Presiding Judge prompted the Lord Chief Justice to appoint a deputy. The office has twice fallen vacant for 21 months, each time after the incumbent became Senior Presiding Judge.

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