QC from 39 Essex Chambers appointed as High Court judge

Her appointment follows the death of Mr Justice Gilbart.

Following her call to the Bar in 1994, Thornton worked for nine years as a solicitor at two leading firms in London.

She returned to the Bar in 2006 and joined 39 Essex Chambers specialising in environmental, planning and energy law.

Thornton, who took silk in 2016 and was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2017, said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to have been appointed as a High Court judge. A commitment to the rule of law is one of our country’s proudest traditions. I look forward to serving the public by upholding justice on behalf of every citizen of our country.”

Alison Foster QC, Joint Head of Chambers at 39 Essex Chambers, said: “Both personally and on behalf of all in Chambers, I could not be more delighted at Justine Thornton’s appointment as a High Court Judge. Justine’s achievements are inspirational for women in the legal profession. We wish her well and will miss her from Chambers, but recognise our loss is the Bench’s gain.”