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02 July 2025
Issue: 8123 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Artificial intelligence
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AI enthusiast Birss at the helm

Lord Justice Colin Birss will be the next Chancellor of the High Court, with day-to-day responsibility for the business and property courts

Birss LJ was called to the Bar in 1990, took Silk in 2008 and specialised in intellectual property cases at chambers Three New Square. He is a former deputy chairman of the Copyright Tribunal, was appointed a High Court judge in the Chancery Division in 2013, and a Lord Justice in 2021.

Currently, he is the deputy head of civil justice and lead judge for artificial intelligence, and two years ago he became the first UK judge to admit using ChatGPT to write part of a judgment.

He replaces current Chancellor Sir Julian Flaux, who is retiring, in November.

Six judges have been approved for appointment as Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal—Mrs Justice Cockerill, Mr Justice Dove, Mr Justice Foxton, Mrs Justice May, Mr Justice Miles and Mrs Justice Yip.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Paul Brehony

DAC Beachcroft—Paul Brehony

Commercial disputes practice expands with partner hire in London

Ward Hadaway—Maria Coster

Ward Hadaway—Maria Coster

Partner appointed to lead family and matrimonial department in Leeds

Slater Heelis—Helen Marsh

Slater Heelis—Helen Marsh

Commercial property team expands in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
Financial protections for domestic abuse victims would be strengthened and cohabiting couples be given inheritance and separation rights, under historic government proposals
Doctors and nurses could be sued for mistakes made by the artificial intelligence (AI) equipment they use to treat patients, researchers have warned
The law sector has been chosen as the testing ground for the government’s AI Growth Labs—speeding up development, testing and regulatory compliance so software can be market-ready more quickly
A range of options beyond burial, cremation and burial at sea could become legally available, under Law Commission recommendations
Artificial intelligence (AI) legal assistants will be deployed to cut delays in the Crown Court, ministers have announced
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