The senior judge in Sussex has been appointed as the new honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove.
Judge Christine Henson recently took over as the resident judge at Lewes Crown Court from Judge Christine Laing.
Judge Laing retired at the end of May and stepped down as honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove at the same time.
Judge Henson was nominated for the role of honorary recorder at a Brighton and Hove City Council meeting and unanimously approved.
As the resident judge, she is the senior judge at Lewes Crown Court and its satellite courts in Hove and Brighton. She also teaches at the Judicial College and sits in the Family Court, including the High Court.
A report to the meeting of the full council said: “The role of honorary recorder is an unpaid ceremonial office created by the Local Government Act 1972.
“It offers a means of facilitating close links between local authorities and the judiciary, including by enhancing understanding of the judicial system among the community.
“The functions of honorary recorder may include attending ceremonial and civic functions.”
Judge Henson was among members of the judiciary and others working in the criminal justice system to join a number of mayors at the annual Justices Service at Chichester Cathedral on Friday 9 October.
After being offered the role of honorary recorder, Judge Henson said: “I have been a full-time judge in Sussex since 2015 and have during that time attended numerous civic and ceremonial events, supporting the administration of justice in Brighton and Hove and beyond.
“I have enjoyed leading the Sponsored Legal Walk for charities providing much-needed funding for legal services in Sussex over the last few years.
“Having children myself in Sussex I am passionate about participating in a scheme that may reduce knife crime in our county which is sadly on the increase with the increase of drug crime and glorification of knives and gangs.
“My background is as a barrister (call 1994) practising in legal aid criminal representation, then taking silk and now a judge.
“I was the first in my family to go to university and have been proactive in Sussex in school engagement as well as acting for a local school as a governor for several years.
“I am an active member of my Inns of Court in promoting diversity within the judiciary.
I am a keen advocate of open communication and close links between the courts and civic administration in our county where I have also lived for 20 years.
“It has never been more important for public confidence to be improved with the work of the courts and I have worked to that end including running events for young travellers at the courts and local students. I also have been the judge at the university mock trial competition.
“Many of those within the criminal justice system are those impacted by housing issues, drugs and health service users and by forming close links it is my hope the cycle of crime and crisis can be dramatically reduced in Sussex.”
The report also said: “Any honorary recorder must maintain his or her judicial independence and neutrality. In view of this, any involvement in the activities referred to above would be on a strictly non-political basis.”
At the council meeting at Hove Town Hall, Green councillor Raphael Hill said: “We support all efforts to improve the relationship between civic administration like our council and the judiciary.”
Councillor Hill added that it had never been more important for public confidence in the work of the courts to be improved and was among those of all parties to welcome the appointment.
