Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge announces retirement

In a statement issued today Lord Judge said he had written to the Lord Chancellor, justice secretary Chris Grayling, to inform him of his decision. The process to appoint his successor as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales will begin in early 2013.

Lord Judge is the latest in a stream of retirements at the top end of the judiciary, prompting a merry-go-round of new appointments.

In October last year Supreme Court president Lord Phillips announced his retirement (11 October 2011). He was replaced by Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger earlier this year (12 July 2012).

In turn, Supreme Court justice Lord Dyson was named Master of the Rolls (29 August 2012). Last month the Supreme Court said Lords Walker and Hope were also retiring, meaning that a search has begun for three new Supreme Court justices (16 October 2012).

The court appointed Jonathan Sumption QC and Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Wilson to the Supreme Court in 2011 following the retirement of Lords Saville and Collins (4 May 2011).

In recent months four new Court of Appeal judges (31 July 2012) and three High Court judges have also been appointed (11 September 2012).