Dame Nicola Velfor Davies, DBE (born 13 March 1953)[1] is a British barrister and judge who is currently a Lady Justice of Appeal, to which she was appointed in 2018.[2] At the Bar she practised in medical law. She is referred to as Rt Hon Lady Justice Nicola Davies.
Lady Justice Nicola Davies | |
|---|---|
 Davies in 2017 | |
| Lady Justice of Appeal | |
| Assumed office 2018 | |
| Justice of the High Court | |
| In office 2010–2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nicola Velfor Davies 13 March 1953 United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | Birmingham University |
Early life
editDavies was born in Llanelli, Wales, and grew up in Bridgend. Her father, Eric Davies, was a chartered engineer who was employed by the Steel Company of Wales, and she has a younger brother called Jonathan. She was educated at Bridgend Girls' Grammar School (now closed), where she was the last head girl.[3] In 1971 she entered Birmingham University to read law.[citation needed]
Career
editAfter graduating, Davies worked briefly in a firm of solicitors before becoming an investment analyst in the City of London.[4] She later decided to become a barrister and did her second six-month pupillage at Carpmael Buildings, which later became 3 Serjeant's Inn. She was called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1976.[3] As a young barrister acting as a junior counsel to the two doctors involved in the Cleveland child abuse cases, she became recognised as a medical specialist. She also became a member of the Treasury Panels.[citation needed]
In 1992, at the age of 39, she became a Queen's Counsel, and in 1998 she was appointed to sit as an Assistant Recorder.[3] She chaired two Inquiries. In 1998 Davies spent six months on the Bristol heart surgeon's case, then took on the defence of the doctor and serial killer Harold Shipman.[5]
In 2003, Davies was appointed as a deputy High Court judge. On judicial review she quashed a decision to close some National Health Service paediatric surgery units.[6] She was appointed a High Court judge in 2010.
In 2013 Davies was appointed as a Presiding Judge of the Wales Circuit between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017.[7]
Davies is an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University.[8]
She was sworn as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 2018.
In July 2021, Davies made legal history, chairing the first all-female Court of Appeal session in Wales, sitting alongside Mrs Justice Jefford and Mrs Justice Steyn.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Birthdays", The Guardian, p. 37, 13 March 2014
- ^ Judiciary of England & Wales, HM Government, 10 December 2012, archived from the original on 28 June 2018, retrieved 14 March 2014
- ^ a b c "Nicola Davies QC made High Court Judge and Dame of The British Empire". News. WalesOnline. 21 January 2010.
- ^ "Dame Nicola Davies". First 100 Years. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ "In Defence of Shipman". BBC News. BBC. 31 January 2000. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
- ^ "Save Our Surgery Ltd, R (on the application of) v Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts [2013] EWHC 439 (Admin)". Bailii.org. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- ^ "Appointment of New Presiding Judges". HM Government. 17 June 2013.
- ^ "Honorary Fellowships". Cardiff University. 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
- ^ Evans, Jason (29 July 2021). "Legal history being made in Swansea with first all-female Court of Appeal to sit in Wales". Wales Online.
External links
edit- The Rt. Hon. Mrs Justice Nicola Davies DBE, Judicial Appointments Commission
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