DON’T Call Judges Sir or Madam – UK Chief Justice

Lawyers and litigants have been told to no longer address junior judges as ‘Sir or Madam’ but call them simply ‘Judge’.

Lord Burnett of Maldon, the Lord Chief Justice, said the move ‘involves modern and simple terminology’ while still ‘maintaining the necessary degree of respect’.

The name change will also reduce the risk of judges being ‘misgendered’, legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg explained.

Until yesterday, the majority of junior judges in England and Wales were addressed in court as Sir or Madam or, sometimes, Judge.

The term Judge should now be used for High Court Masters – who deal with cases until they reach trial – as well as judges sitting on tribunals and in magistrates courts.

High Court judges and those sitting in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court will still be referred to as My Lord or My Lady.

Lord Burnett and Sir Keith Lindblom, Senior President of Tribunals, said in a statement: ‘The move away from ”Sir or Madam” involves modern and simple terminology, reflecting the important judicial role whilst maintaining the necessary degree of respect.

‘We also hope this change in language will assist litigants in person involved in court and tribunal proceedings.

‘This change only involves the way in which judges are addressed in court or tribunals. It does not affect judicial titles, which have a basis in statute, or the way in which judges record their decisions.

‘In the tribunals non-legal members should continue to be addressed as ”Sir or Madam”.’

The decision sparked a mixed reaction, with Paul Tubb, a partner at Mander Cruickshank Solicitors, branding it regressive.

‘You know the country has gone downhill when you are told that saying ”Sir or Madam” is too complex for people to handle, and to now address many Judges in Court as ”Judge” as that is more simple and modern,’ he tweeted.

Cllr Andrew Schrader, a Conservative councillor on Basildon Borough Council, wrote: ‘So, from now on, certain judges are no longer to be addressed as ”Sir” or ”Madam” in court, as has been the long-established courtesy.

‘Instead, they are to be addressed simply as ”Judge”. What utter tosh is this??’

But others praised the measure, including Rita D’Alton-Harrison, a senior lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, who suggested referring to judges as Sir or Madam was ‘outdated.