David Lock QC appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge for England and Wales

Landmark Chambers is pleased to announce that The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon has appointed David Lock QC as a Deputy High Court Judge for a single fixed four-year term.  David has been appointed to sit in both the Queen’s Bench and Family Divisions and has been approved to sit in the Administrative Court. Described in Chambers and Partners 2020 as “an amazing barrister”, “cerebral, academic and knowledgeable” and as having “an absolutely brilliant mind”, David’s diverse and impressive career has spanned politics, involvement with public bodies and life at the Bar.  David was a local councillor from 1995 to 1997, when he was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest.  He was Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellors’ Department for two years. In 2002, David was appointed as Chair of the Service Authorities to the National Crime Squad and the National Criminal Intelligence Service and continued to work part-time as a barrister. He resumed full-time practice in 2003 as Head of the Healthcare Practice at Mills & Reeve solicitors, and returned to the Bar in 2008.  He was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2011. Currently Head of Landmark Chambers’ Public Law practice group, David specialises in public law and health, including cases concerning care, right to life and the management of the NHS.  He has appeared in a series of high profile administrative and public law cases; most recently as leading counsel for the parents in the case of Tafida Raqeeb, a child on life support whose parents wished to take her abroad for treatment, and is involved in Infected Blood Inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 80s. David is a visiting Professor at LSE, serves on the BMA Ethics Committee and is lead author of textbooks on NHS law. Commenting on his appointment, David Lock QC said: “Sitting as a Deputy HCJ will be a considerable challenge.  I acknowledge that I have a great deal to learn in order to perform this new role properly, but have already started the training and am looking forward to crossing from one side of the court room to the other.  This is a part-time appointment and I will remain available for work as a barrister for most of the year.”. Paul Brown QC, Joint Head of Chambers at Landmark, said: “We wish to congratulate David and wish him every success in this new role.”. With 96 barristers, of whom 35 are QCs, Landmark Chambers is ranked as a leading set by the top legal directories in its four main areas of practice. Working throughout the UK, Europe and internationally, Landmark’s members are renowned for their unique expertise, and Chambers for its modern, diverse, and innovative approach to practice.