English and Welsh Courts - Miscellaneous

You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> English and Welsh Courts - Miscellaneous >> Mode Of Address: Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss [1994] EW Misc 1 (Practice Note) (25 April 1994)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/Misc/1994/1.html
Cite as: [1994] 1 FLR 866, [1994] EW Misc 1 (Practice Note)

[New search] [Help]

BAILII Citation Number: : [1994] EW Misc 1 (PN)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

Royal Courts of Justice
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL

25 April 1994

B e f o r e :

SIR THOMAS BINGHAM
The Master of the Rolls
____________________

Mode Of Address: Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss

____________________

The names of counsel and instructing solicitors are omitted in the interest of preserving anonymity.
____________________

PRACTICE NOTE
____________________

SIR THOMAS BINGHAM:

Since 1988, the Court of Appeal has enjoyed the great benefit of including among its members Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss. Formally, she has been a Lord Justice of Appeal and is required to be so styled by s 2(3) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 unless and until that section can be amended. But she has, when sitting in court, been addressed as 'My Lady', as she was when sitting as a puisne judge, and as other female puisne judges are addressed. This has led counsel, when referring to her in court, to adopt the usage 'My Lady, Lord Justice Butler-Sloss'.

This usage is plainly absurd. Nothing can for the time being be done to alter the formal position, but for informal purposes it is desirable that reference should be made to Lady Justice Butler-Sloss, so that she will be referred to in court as 'My Lady, Lady Justice Butler-Sloss'.

This change was the support of Lady Justice Butler-Sloss, and also of the Lord Chancellor. No offence will be taken if counsel or solicitors slip into the old usage; but it would be regarded as a courtesy if the new were adopted.

The permission for BAILII to publish the text of this judgment
was granted by Jordan Publishing Limited
Their assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

About BAILII - FAQ - Copyright Policy - Disclaimers - Privacy Policy amended on 25/11/2010