Dyson joins the judicial elite

The current Supreme Court president Lord Phillips kickstarted the judicial merry-go-round after he announced his exit back in April. He is heading east to be president of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre.

The incumbent MR Lord Neuberger is to succeed Lord Phillips and now Lord Dyson SCJ, who was at the forefront of the MR race back in 2009, is moving back to the CoA as MR. This leaves another seat open on the Supreme Court bench.

What can we tell you about John Dyson?

Back in 1986, before joining the bench, he made a little history by being parachuted in as head of 39 Essex Street, having previously been a member of Keating Chambers. Back then it was practically unheard of for barristers to switch sets, let alone make an entrance as leader of a set.

He also had a brush with the stars when he secured a £600,000 payout for musician Dave Clark of Dave Clark Five fame from London’s Dominion Theatre. Clark had sued for negligence after his musical Time - which starred Cliff Richard dontcha know - bombed, arguing that the box office had not sold tickets properly.

More recently he joined with his contemporaries in criticising the Ministry of Justice’s decision to drastically reduce legal aid, arguing that the anticipated influx of litigants-in-person will waste court time.

Oh, and he is an accomplished pianist.

We’re guessing he’s not going to have much time to practise his scales come October.

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