More than 700 years since the amalgamation of the English and Welsh legal systems (we will draw a veil over the circumstances), a milestone. For the first time in history, the swearing-in ceremony of a circuit judge took place in Wales last week. His Honour Judge Paul Hopkins KC has been appointed designated family judge for south east Wales.
The ceremony was conducted by the lady chief justice, who was joined on the bench by the senior presiding judge of Wales Mr Justice Griffiths, and Mrs Justice Thornton. It was conducted in both English and Welsh – including the judicial oaths.
In her speech, the lady chief justice said: ‘Occasions like this are important, not just for the judge himself. They are positive for the whole judiciary and the wider public. They remind us of the commitment of those in the legal profession prepared to devote themselves to the rule of law and to contribute to the quality of what is the world class judiciary that we have in Wales.’
Congratulations to Hopkins who will officially go down in the history books. We trust he had a Welsh cake or two to celebrate.
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