The Right Honourable Lord Wilson of Culworth |
|
---|---|
Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom | |
Assumed office 26 May 2011 |
|
Preceded by | Lord Saville of Newdigate |
Lord Justice of Appeal | |
In office 3 October 2005 – 26 May 2011 |
|
High Court Judge | |
In office 20 April 1993 – 3 October 2005 |
|
Personal details | |
Born | 9 May 1945 |
Spouse(s) | Margaret Higgins m. 1974 |
Education | Bryanston School |
Alma mater | Worcester College, Oxford |
Occupation | Judge |
Profession | Barrister |
Religion | Church of England |
Nicholas Allan Roy Wilson, Lord Wilson of Culworth PC (born 9 May 1945) is a British judge. On 26 May 2011, he became a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, having previously served as a Lord Justice of Appeal since 2005. Lord Wilson has specialised in family law throughout his career. In December 2016, as one of the 11 Justices of the Supreme Court, Lord Wilson heard the Government's appeal of the 'Section 50' case on the use of prerogative powers to start the process of leaving the European Union following the referendum on 23 June 2016.
Lord Wilson's father was Roderick Peter Garrett Wilson (1913-1994), a former naval officer, who taught languages at Dartmouth Naval College after resigning his commission due to ill-health. In 1942 Peter married Anne Dorothy Anne Chenevix Trench (b 30 Aug 1916 in India), daughter of an officer in the Royal Engineers. As her husband's health continued to decline, Anne studied at Trinity College of Music, qualifying to teach the piano, in order to earn an income. The Wilsons lived in Fittleworth, Sussex for many years, purchasing Three Chimneys in the village in 1958.
His paternal grandfather was Sir Roderick Roy Wilson (born 10 August 1876 – died 27 August 1942), a banker and politician who was Conservative MP for Lichfield (29 October 1924 to May 1929). He was knighted in 1929 and Chairman of the British Guiana Parliamentary Commission, 1926.
Lord Wilson was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset and Worcester College, Oxford. He was called to the Bar in 1967 (Inner Temple), and became a Queen's Counsel in 1987. He was appointed a Recorder the same year. In 1993, he became a bencher and was appointed to the High Court, sitting in the Family Division, whereupon he was appointed a knight bachelor. He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2005, at which time he was also appointed to the Privy Council. On 26 May 2011, he joined the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, succeeding Lord Saville of Newdigate and gaining the courtesy style "Lord Wilson of Culworth" for life.