His Honour Judge Kearl is a Circuit Judge and the Recorder of Leeds. He is the most senior judge at Leeds Crown Court.
On the 5th of January 2025, Elon Musk re-posted on X an image/post of HHJ Kearl KC and commented “This clown looks like he bought that wig from the Party City liquidation sale 🤣🤣”
Under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, Elon Musk is legally entitled to call HHJ Guy Kearl a clown.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States
In the United Kingdom, Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 allows for Freedom of expression. Yet again, Elon Musk is entitled to call His Honour Judge Kearl a clown.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.”
Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998
The judiciary, including Judge Kearl, are quite rightly not immune to public criticism and comment. The rule of law applies to everyone and no one is above the law.
Criticising judges, was historically considered a form of contempt of court in England and Wales.
“Scandalising the judiciary (also referred to as scandalising the court or scandalising judges) is abolished as a form of contempt of court under the common law of England and Wales.”
Crime and Courts Act 2013 Section 33
Party City was a major retailer specialising in party supplies and decorations in the United States.
It is not the first time that Judge Guy Kearl attire has been mocked.
That’s a lovely wig you’ve got on there — do they make them in black?”
HHJ Kearl – The Sun
In 2018 Charles Bronson, who is the UK’s most notorious prisoner, also told Judge Kearl to hurry up so he didn’t miss his fish and chip supper.
You may want to check out the articles on Dodgy Judges and His Honour Judge Melbourne Inman KC (The Recorder of Birmingham).
His Honour Judge Kearl KC Bio
His Honour Judge Guy Alexander Kearl became a Circuit Judge on the North Eastern Circuit in 2011. Judge Kearl became a Senior Circuit Judge in 2018.
In 2001, HHJ Kearl acted as junior legal counsel for the Great Train robber Ronnie Biggs,
Mr Kearl, 52, was instructed as junior counsel for Biggs and supervised his return back to the UK from Brazil in May 2001 and his subsequent appearance in court.
He also drafted representations to the Home Office and Criminal Cases Review Commission prior to Biggs’s subsequent release on health grounds in 2009. Married with two children, Judge Kearl is an enthusiastic sportsman who ran marathons and is a keen skier and tennis player.
Ronnie Biggs’ barrister become judge on the North Eastern Circuit
Judge Kearl was called to the Bar in 1982 (Inns of Court unknown), and was appointed assistant Recorder in May 2000 and Recorder in July 2020. Two years later he took silk (Kings Counsel) .
Prior to becoming a judge, Guy Kearl KC, was head of St Pauls Chambers in Leeds.
HHJ Kearl is shown on the List of Circuit Judges published on the Courts and Tribunal Judiciary website.
| His Honour Judge Kearl KC | North East | 04-06-2018 |
HHJ Kearl is shown on the Resident Judges list published on the Courts and Tribunal Judiciary website.
| Circuit | Court | Judges | Date of appointment |
| North East | Leeds Combined Court Centre | His Honour Judge Kearl KC | 04-06-18 |
His Honour Judge Kearl is a Circuit Judge.
The three key values which are central to the role of judicial office holders (JOHs) in England and Wales are:
• Independence
• Impartiality
• Integrity
Authorisation to sit as a High Court Judge
HHJ Kearl may be authorised to sit as a High Court Judge by s9(1) of the Senior Courts Act as amended by the Crime and Courts Act 2013.
According to CRIMINAL PRACTICE DIRECTIONS 2015 DIVISION XII His Honour Judge Kearl should be addressed as “My Lord” in court.
Modes of Address B.1 – The following judges, when sitting in court, should be addressed as ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady’
(b) any Circuit Judge sitting as a judge of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) or the High Court under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981;
(d) any Senior Circuit Judge who is an Honorary Recorder.
Description B.3 – In cause lists, forms and orders members of the judiciary should be described as follows:
(a) Circuit Judges, as ‘His [or Her] Honour Judge A’. When the judge is sitting as a judge of the High Court under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the words ‘sitting as a judge of the High Court’ should be added;
“Publicity is the very soul of justice. . . . It keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial….Where there is no publicity there is no justice”
Jeremy Bentham – Mr Justice Cobb: ‘Justice must be seen to be done’
Image of HHJ Kearl : Sky News Courts
Check out our articles on Dodgy Judges, Mr Justice Williams, His Honour Judge Melbourne Inman KC, His Honour Judge Richardson, His Honour Now His Dishonour, His Honour Judge Michael Slater, His Honour Judge Martin Davis, HHJ Farquhar, HHJ Bedford, DDJ Nicholes, Do you Have to Bow to a Judge ?, Can you Email a Judge ?, Can you Criticise a Judge ? and the highly dubious Sussex Family Justice Board.
The Ministry of Injustice is not the Ministry of Justice nor is it affiliated in any way with the justice system, legal profession or any law enforcement agencies.
Most Popular ↓
What is Policing by Consent ? What is Two Tier Policing ?
Latest Articles ↓
- Open Justice
The Open Justice Principle refers to the idea that justice should be administered openly, transparently and in a manner that is accessible to the public.… Read more: Open Justice - The Justice System and the Constitution in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has three separate legal systems; one each for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This system operates within a constitutional framework where… Read more: The Justice System and the Constitution in the United Kingdom - His Honour Judge Guy Kearl KC
His Honour Judge Kearl is a Circuit Judge and the Recorder of Leeds. He is the most senior judge at Leeds Crown Court. On the… Read more: His Honour Judge Guy Kearl KC - Mr Justice Williams
Mr Justice Williams is a British High Court judge in the Family Division. Sir David Basil Williams is known as The Honourable Mr Justice Williams and should be… Read more: Mr Justice Williams
All Articles can be found in the Legal Blog or Sitemap.
You should always seek formal legal advice from a qualified and reputable lawyer (solicitor or barrister).
‘Justice delayed is justice denied’
William Ewart Gladstone
There are a number of links to Free and Paid For Legal Resources and Legal Organisations on the Free Legal Advice , Legal Aid and Pro Bono pages.
His Honour Judge Guy Kearl KC was last updated on the 16th January 2025
