press release
Browne Jacobson litigator appointed County Court Judge
10 February 2010
David Potts, a litigation consultant at Browne Jacobson, has been
officially sworn in as a Civil Recorder.
David was one of nine Civil Recorders sworn in by Mr Justice
Flaux, the Presiding Judge on the Midland Circuit, at a special
ceremony at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday 10 February. Of the
nine David was the only solicitor.
As a Civil Recorder, David will try civil disputes in the County
Court including personal injury claims, commercial, property and
probate disputes.
Recorders are part-time - or fee-paid - judges in the Crown or
county court whose jurisdiction is similar to a circuit judge but
they handle less complex or serious matters. Before a barrister or
a solicitor can apply to sit as a Recorder they must have been in
practice for a minimum of ten years. It is widely seen by many as
the first step to a career in the judiciary.
Potts joined Browne Jacobson in 1989 and was appointed a partner
four years later and then a consultant in 2004. He specialises in
commercial litigation, in particular property litigation such as
landlord and tenant cases relating to commercial, residential and
agricultural properties. In 1999 David was appointed a Deputy
District Judge.
David Potts said:
“The majority of Recorders have tended to be barristers but
there are concerted efforts to encourage applications from all
corners of the legal community. I hope that my appointment also
sends out a positive message to younger lawyers who may be
contemplating a judicial role later in their careers.”