31-Year-Old Becomes UK’s Youngest Female Judge

Summary: Briony Clarke, 31, was sworn in as a judge this week.

The United Kingdom has just gotten its youngest female judge – a 31-year-old who had already quickly climbed the career ladder as a criminal solicitor.

This week, Briony Clarke was sworn in as a deputy district judge, according to Legal Cheek. She will now oversee magistrates’ courts in London and the South East circuit.

Before being named a judge, Clarke’s impressive career had already reached several milestones. At 14, she was an administrative assistant at the law firm Taylor Haldane Barlex, and she went on to get her law degree at Anglia Ruskin University while still working at the firm. In 2010, she became an associate at Taylor Haldane Barlex and was named a partner only one year later.

At 31, Clarke usurped Anna Midgley as the youngest female judge. Last year, Midgley became a Crown Court recorder at 33.

However, the title of youngest judge is still held by Richard Wright who was named a deputy district judge at the age of 29 in 2006.

A spokesman for Taylor Haldane Barlex wished Clarke the best.

“It is without doubt an extraordinary personal achievement and the partnership is absolutely delighted for her. Briony will continue her practice and sit as a Deputy District Judge part time,” TBH said.