Honorary Fellowship - Rt Hon Lord Justice Leveson

11 July 2012

The Right Honourable Lord Justice Leveson is Liverpool born and bred. Educated at Liverpool College and Merton College Oxford, he was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1970 and practised on the Northern Circuit from chambers in Liverpool. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1986, and was a Recorder and a Deputy High Court Judge.

He was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division, in 2000 when he was knighted, and served as a Presiding Judge of the Northern Circuit.  In 2005 he was appointed to the new position of Deputy Senior Presiding Judge and in 2006, following his appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal, he became Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales. In 2009, he was appointed Chairman of the Sentencing Council, a position he still holds.

In 2010 Sir Brian Leveson presented the 95th Roscoe Lecture in LJMU's prestigious public lecture series.

Sir Brian was appointed as Chairman of the Inquiry investigating the role of the press and police in the phone-hacking scandal in 2011. The Leveson Inquiry will make recommendations on the future of press regulation and governance consistent with maintaining freedom of the press and ensuring the highest ethical and professional standards.

Speaking at the Ceremony today, Lord Justice Leveson said that he accepted the Fellowship with enormous gratitude. He spoke of how he was proud of his roots and how it was always a delight to return to Liverpool and experience the continued vibrancy of the city.

Lord Justice Leveson also addressed the graduates, advising them that what they achieve for themselves and their families will depend on what they put into life.  He noted that university offers opportunities to become equipped for the world of work and the exciting challenges life will present and concluded by telling the graduates to enjoy their well-deserved success. 

To view the Oration for Rt Hon Lord Justice Leveson click here