City law firm QC named a High Court judge

The head of the advocacy group at international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has been appointed a Justice of the High Court.

The appointment of Tom Leech QC, who took silk in 2010, will take effect from 1 November 2021. 

The Lord Chief Justice will assign him to the Chancery Division.

Mr Leech is the sixth apppointment to the High Court in recent months. Those to have been selected are His Honour Judge Stephen Eyre QC, Heather Williams QC, Barry Cotter QC, Andrew Ritchie QC and Edwin Johnson QC.

Last month the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, appointed 40 Deputy High Court Judges, for a single fixed six-year term.