District judge duo appointed from St John’s Buildings
Two barristers with St John’s Buildings have been appointed as district judges.
Magdalen Case (pictured) will join the Northern Circuit, and will be based at Blackburn County and Family Court. Magdalen was called to the Bar in 1992, and was appointed a deputy district judge in 2015. She brings a wealth of experience in family law, particularly children cases, and also offers experience in Court of Protection issues.
Magdalen commented: ‘It’s a true accolade to be appointed as district judge for the Northern Circuit. I was particularly pleased to be deployed to sit at Blackburn County and Family Court where I will able to make full use of the expertise in family law that I have grown at chambers. St John’s Buildings has a stellar reputation for producing highly skilled members of the judiciary, and I am very proud to be a small part of that tradition.’
The second appointee, Abigail Hickinbottom, will join the North Eastern Circuit as a judge. Called to the Bar in 2004, Abigail specialises in family law, as well as offering experience in civil litigation, including personal injury claims. In 2015, she was appointed a deputy district judge, and will now work from Sheffield Combined Court Centre as a district judge, as well as sitting in Doncaster and Great Grimsby county courts.
Abigail said: ‘I am delighted to be appointed as a district judge of the North Eastern Circuit. I am sure that my years of experience in practice as a barrister will be invaluable in dealing with the challenges that my new role will bring.’
Chief executive of St John’s Buildings Chris Ronan said: ‘We are extremely pleased to see two excellent barristers appointed as District Judges. Both Abigail and Magdalen have outstanding reputations in their fields of expertise, due to their superb service and extensive knowledge. They are truly deserving of their respective appointments, and we wish them all the very best for the future.’
