It’s that time of year again when a sharp prod from Oliver and Cath at the Inn sends me to my computer to report on the Northern Circuit Society. There is much to write to fill the allotted space, but it can all be summarised in one short phrase: ‘We’re doing very nicely, thank you’.
This situation does not happen by accident and again it is my pleasure to thank the Committee and the staff at Domus for their combined efforts. Most things we do tend to follow quite a predictable path – a committee member has a good idea which is then ruminated, goes quiet for a while afterwards and then comes good with a last final push once we have all remembered its impending place in the diary and overcome the hurdles which always arise.
This was certainly true for the summer drinks reception that took place at Chester Racecourse in June. Despite the railway strike and various other obstacles, we managed a successful event, thanks in no small part to Indunee Seneviratne who had brought some excellent cakes (including one bedecked in Pride flags and colours) to accompany the fine canapes, fizz, and wine. It was a select gathering numerically but very enjoyable. The indomitable Master Lynch and I held a QS beforehand.
David Lynch is a remarkable man who holds in his mind a treasure-house of Circuit lore and memories. His activity and intellectual oomph bely his years and recent health problems. We are very lucky to have him. He has made certain suggestions that he might like to think about retiring. I will deploy my finest advocacy to dissuade him. He keeps us all updated with new members’ details and I am delighted to note that we now have 446 members on Circuit, 11 of whom joined in early March this year. By any standard that is something to be proud of.
‘Select but enjoyable’ might also describe the Circuit Engagement Dinner at the Inn. Regrettably I could not go, but our flag was flown by Master Stockdale who corralled Northern Circuiteers so well that we made up about 50% of attendees. It is obvious that events like these are now much more difficult to organise. I suppose this to be a combination of the backwash of Covid, which put many off travelling to events, plus sharply rising costs, and uncertain travelling plans with so many rail strikes. Nonetheless, it’s a mark of the Inn’s dedication to its members on Circuit that such events are put on at all, and I do hope a time comes when numbers can revert to where they were some years ago.
One of the many pleasures of writing a round-up like this is to record the successes of our members. This is plainly so for Master Edis and Master Holroyde. Each has been appointed to the dizzying heights of the judiciary: Lord Justice Edis is now Deputy Senior Presiding Judge and Lord Justice Holroyde is Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). That both stellar positions should be occupied by Middle Temple Northern Circuiteers is a significant moment of which we should all be proud. Likewise, the appointment of Nigel Poole as a High Court Judge was a matter of great celebration on Circuit. A Yorkshireman by birth, Nigel was a giant of the Manchester Bar in – and for three years Head of – King’s Chambers. The Circuit held a Congratulatory Dinner for Edis, LJ and Poole, J on a sweltering Manchester evening in late June. We were treated to baking sunshine, boiling thunder clouds, a double rainbow, and superb speeches by the principal guests. It was a great night for Circuit and a great night for the Inn. Lord Justice Holroyde, V-P, will be honoured at the next such event as his appointment was quite close in time to the dinner. To have shoehorned him into the event as an honorand would in no sense have been right or proper.
Quite rightly, the efforts Tim Storrie QC makes on behalf of the Inn on Circuit were recognised by his being Called to the Bench. Master Storrie will be an adornment. Witty, energetic, deservedly popular both personally and as a silk, Tim is also my Deputy. My only regret was that I could not attend his Bench Call, not least because that meant I missed being able to charge a bottle of Champagne to his Bench slate. I will make sure another opportunity arises.
It is a pleasure to record our sincere congratulations to Matthew Corbett-Jones upon his appointment as a Circuit Judge. He will sit at Manchester, Minshull Street. Matthew was not only a star of the Chester Bar but also a most assiduous committee member. He will remain in post until a new Bar member from Chester can take his place.
The main event around the corner in Michaelmas Term is the joint Northern & North Eastern Circuits Dinner. Last year was our turn and, facing-down a winter storm and gale force winds, we gathered in the shimmering Georgian splendour of Liverpool Town Hall. Students who attended were gripped by the QS beforehand in which Master Goldstone interviewed Master Leveson about his fascinating career. This year in November, we will be in Newcastle upon Tyne as guests of the North Eastern Circuit. I am sure it will be a magnificent affair but spare a thought for your Chairman who faces the unenviable task of speaking after Master Richard Wright who will – as always – wow the room. I shall do my modest best to avoid appearing to be merely the chap who sweeps-up after the Lord Mayor’s Show.
Master Simon Medland is Chairman of the Northern Circuit Society. Brought up in Cheshire, he was at the Criminal Bar in London, Chester and Liverpool. He sits as a Circuit Judge at the Crown Court in Preston.
