The BBC reports that,

“Sir John Thomas has been confirmed as the new Lord Chief Justice, replacing Lord Judge as head of the judiciary of England and Wales.

Sir John, currently president of the Queen’s Bench Division, will take over the £240,000-a-year role in October.

The 65-year-old was involved in recent high-profile cases including those of Abu Hamza and Julian Assange.

After his appointment he pledged that judges would help ensure that justice was delivered “fairly and efficiently”.

As well as leading the judges of England and Wales, he will also play a key role mediating between the courts and ministers.

Sir John was born in Carmarthen and brought up in Ystradgynlais, Powys. He was called to the bar in 1969 and was knighted when he became a High Court judge in 1996.

‘Inevitable tension’

Some had predicted the job would be given to Lady Justice Hallett, who led the London bombings inquest and would have become the first woman in the role.

Also in the running, according to the BBC’s legal correspondent Clive Coleman, was Lord Justice Leveson who led the recent inquiry into the ethics and practices of the press”.