Page 3 Profile: Lord Neuberger, Senior judge

Never heard of him…

Well, that's because you've probably never been in trouble with the law. He has just been sworn in as the new President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, making him the most senior judge in the country. His role involves overseeing the judicial functions of the House of Lords, which is the highest court of appeal.

How do you end up in that position, then?

Well, going to Oxford University probably helps. After he completed his chemistry degree there, he went on to work for the merchant bank NM Rothschild, before kicking off his legal career in the 1970s. He became the youngest sitting Law Lord in 2007 and in 2009 became the Master of the Rolls.

So he gave up the legal profession to become a banker?

Not quite – Master of the Rolls is in fact the name given to the head of civil justice and the second-most senior judge in England and Wales. This is the position he held until yesterday, when the 64-year-old was elevated to the position of top dog.

What can we expect from him in his new role?

He is an advocate of television court hearings. He has also urged judges to make their rulings simpler and clearer for the public to understand.

I'll be the judge of that.

Well, actually, he'll be.