Alison Foster QC appointed to the High Court

News13th August 2019

Alison Foster QC has been appointed as a High Court Judge, it has been announced today.

Alison will be known as The Honourable Mrs Justice Foster and will take up appointment on 1^st October 2019. The Lord Chief Justice will assign Alison Foster QC to the Queen’s Bench Division.

Alison was called to the Bar in 1984 and took Silk in 2002. She developed a highly successful practice at the Bar, acting both for and against the government in all contexts. She specialised in public and administrative law with particular emphasis in regulation and tax and has been involved in some of the highest profile cases at all levels.

Throughout her career Alison has practised from 39 Essex Chambers, and has been Joint Head of Chambers since 2015, the first female to be so elected. She has hitherto sat as a Deputy High Court Judge in both the Chancery and the Queen’s Bench Divisions.

Alison Foster QC says:

“This appointment is an extraordinary privilege. I have hugely enjoyed my career as an advocate representing so many different types of interests and litigants before the courts. It is an honour now to be playing my part as a judge in a system of justice that is envied world-wide.”

Neil Block QC, Joint Head of Chambers says:

“Both personally and on behalf of all in Chambers, I could not be more delighted at Alison Foster’s appointment as a High Court Judge. It has been a privilege to be Joint Head of Chambers with Alison. She is an inspiration for women in the legal profession. We wish her well and will miss her from Chambers, but recognise our loss is the Bench’s gain.”