By Danjuma Aliyu

Sir Ian Burnett, a Court of Appeal judge, has been named the new Lord Chief Justice.

The 59-year-old will replace Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, who retires at the end of September, as head of the judiciary of England and Wales.

Sir Burnett’s appointment which has been formally approved by the Queen, begins on October 2.

Liz Truss, the former Lord Chancellor, decided that the new chief justice would have to serve for at least four years before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

As a result, Sir Brian Leveson and Dame Heather Hallett, were ruled out.

Sir David Lloyd Jones, a favourite for the role is expected to go to the Supreme Court.

Richard Burgon, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Justice has congratulated Sir  Burnett on his appointment.

In a press statement seen by DENISAURUS News, the MP for Leeds East, said: “I congratulate Sir Ian Burnett on his appointment as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from October 2017.

“One of the Lord Chief Justice’s key responsibilities is representing the views of the judiciary to Parliament and the government.

“I look forward to working with Lord Justice Burnett in upholding the independence of the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of our legal system.”