President of the King’s Bench Division

The President of the King’s Bench Division is a highly esteemed position in the United Kingdom’s judicial system.

The President of the King’s Bench Division (KBD) is responsible for the deployment and organisation of the work of the largest of the three High Court Divisions. At its full complement the King’s Bench Division has 71 High Court Judges and has the most varied jurisdiction. By the nature of the office the President is a judge of the Court of Appeal.

Current President of the King’s Bench Division

The current President of the King’s Bench Division is Dame Victoria Sharp DBE.

Dame Victoria succeeded Sir Brian Leveson and is the first woman to hold the position of President of the Queen’s Bench Division and subsequently is the first woman to hold the position of President of the King’s Bench Division.

History of the King’s Bench Division

The King’s Bench Division has a long and intricate history, tracing back to the time of William the Conqueror.

As established by the Magna Carta, the Royal Court (known as coram rege) had jurisdiction over cases heard before the king. These cases could be held anywhere the king was located, whether around the country or at Westminster. Over time, the King’s Bench became a central institution for legal proceedings, handling various matters.

The King’s Bench was merged into the High Court of Justice by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873. After this merger, the King’s Bench became a division within the High Court.

Appointment

The Heads of Division are appointed by The King on the recommendation of a selection panel convened by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

The selection panel comprises the Lady Chief Justice as Chair, a nominee of the Lady Chief Justice, the Chair of the JAC Helen Pitcher OBE, a lay member of the JAC and a nominee of the JAC Chair agreed with the Lady Chief Justice.

The panel reports to the Lord Chancellor, who can then accept the selection, reject it, or require the panel to reconsider. If practical the panel must consult the current holder of the office for which a selection is being made.

By law, candidates for the post must be qualified for appointment as a Lord or Lady Justice of Appeal or to be a judge of the Court of Appeal.

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