High Court Judge

A High Court Judge is usually knighted on appointment. He is styled 'The Hon Mr Justice Cane'. The letters QC do not appear after his name.  A female Judge of the High Court is styled 'The Hon Mrs Justice Cane', whether married or single, and the letters QC do not appear after her name.

How to Address a High Court Judge

The recommended judicial and social styles of address are as follows:

Beginning of letter (judicial matters) My Lord/My Lady
Beginning of letter (social matters) Dear Judge/Dear Sir John
End of letter (judicial matters) Yours faithfully
End of letter (social matters) Yours sincerely
Envelope (on judicial matters) The Hon Mr Justice Cane/The Hon Mrs Justice Cane
Envelope (social) The Hon Sir John Cane/The Hon Dame Elizabeth Cane
Verbal address (on the Bench) My Lord/My Lady
Verbal address (social) Mr Justice Cane/Judge/Sir John/Dame Elizabeth

How to Address a Retired High Court Judge

The recommended judicial and social styles of address are as follows:

Beginning of letter Dear Judge/Dear Sir John
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Sir John Brown
Verbal address Judge (excluding surname) or Sir John

Note: the prefix 'The Hon Mr Justice' is dropped on retirement.

 

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