Floyd and Stadlen set for the bench

Two of the bar's biggest hitters have emerged as favourites to fill the two vacant slots on the bench by the end of the year.

IP star Christopher Floyd QC, head of chambers at 11 South Square, and commercial guru Nicholas Stadlen QC of Fountain Court are expected to be joining the High Court.

Floyd has emerged as the favourite for the post of UK's new High Court IP judge after he sent letters to clients to excuse himself from a number of cases so as to clear his diary for a move to the bench.

A source told The Lawyer: "It's almost a certainty - 99 per cent - but until it's confirmed there's always that 1 per cent. People are saying that he's even had the medical for the job."

It is expected that Floyd will be the direct replacement for Lord Justice Pumfrey, who was made up to the Court of Appeal after Lord Justice Auld retired this month.

Stadlen left Fountain Court before the summer break and sources have confirmed his call to the bench this term.