Gloster J tipped for Court of Appeal

Gloster J is currently presiding over the mammoth Berezovsky v Abramovich litigation (14 September 2011). She has been praised for encouraging greater use of technology in managing the case (23 January 2012).

Sources said it was widely anticipated that Gloster J would be confirmed as the latest addition to the CoA next month meaning that her judgment in the court battle is expected before the summer court recess.

In October the second tranche of the case will be heard in the Chancery division. It is understood that Gloster J’s Commercial Court ruling will have implications for that dispute (24 January 2012 ).

A former member of One Essex Court Chambers, Gloster J was the one time highest-earning female barrister at the bar, commanding fees of £2m in 2003-04, beaten only by Tony Grabiner QC also of One Essex Court and Gordon Pollock QC of Essex Court Chambers, who both earned £3m in the same year.

Gloster’s earning capacity dropped dramatically after she became the first female to be appointed to the Commercial Court in April 2004, before being promoted to lead the Commercial Court in 2010.

If her appointment is confirmed by the Ministry of Justice she will become the fifth female judge to join the civil appellant bench of a total 37 Lord Justices of Appeal.