Sir Timothy Fancourt (Law 1983) has been appointed by His Majesty King Charles III as a Judge to the Court of Appeal. The appointment, commencing from October 1, 2026 follows a legal career spanning nearly four decades, including eight years as a High Court Judge.

“I recognise that it is a huge privilege and an achievement to be appointed to the Court of Appeal, and I am conscious that it carries with it huge responsibility,” says Mr Justice Fancourt.

“I’m delighted to have, in effect, a new career to start, which is very different. I’ve been lucky enough to have a career change once already when I stopped being a barrister and became a judge. It’s very attractive in a full working life to be able to have those different types of roles."

Sitting on a panel of three, a judge on the Court of Appeal hears appeals on legal questions arising from other judges’ decisions. 

He says: “What I love about the law is that a lot of cases involve an intellectual puzzle. As a barrister, you are trying to find the right legal analysis, the right argument, and the best way to present it. And as a judge, it’s slightly different, you’re trying to identify what a correct analysis of the law is and apply it correctly.”

Reflecting on his time at Gonville & Caius College, where he first began to grapple with this jurisprudential puzzle, Mr Justice Fancourt adds: “I think what Caius provided me with was real inspiration to achieve the highest standards, to reach for the sky, if you like. Cambridge is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best legal minds in the country.”

He reminisces on the luck and privilege he felt during his evening walks from Harvey Court, through King’s College, and into Hall for dinners, and recommends students think deeply about what they want from their time at university. He also fondly recalls being taught by Mr Michael Prichard, who has been Caius Fellow for 76 years. 

He adds: “That said, however much you plan and want your career to go in a certain direction, the chances are it’s not going to. I had two rejections from my pupillages and there was a time I thought, ‘this isn’t going to work out’. But having enough determination to persist and keep trying is an important quality.

“I was incredibly conscious of some famous judges who have been there before me, who, as a young barrister, I looked up to as almost demi-gods, because of their status, seniority and expertise. Now that I’m there myself, I realise, of course, they’re not demi-gods, they’re just ordinary people who work very hard, have a lot of experience of the law, and are good at doing the job they do.”

Further information is published on the judiciary website (link)