Mrs Justice Joanna Smith takes interim leadership role in Business and Property Division

Mrs Justice Joanna Smith has been appointed to serve as the interim Deputy President of the Business and Property Division. The appointment, made by the Lady Chief Justice, begins on 1 November 2026 and will remain in effect until a permanent President for the division is selected. This role places her in charge of the division's daily management and leadership during a period of transition.

Division Management and Judicial Oversight

In her interim capacity, Mrs Justice Joanna Smith will be responsible for overseeing the deployment of judges and the allocation of cases within the Business and Property Division. She will also liaise with and supervise the judges overseeing Business and Property Courts located outside of London. Additionally, she will provide pastoral support for the judges serving within the division. This responsibility follows Sir Colin Birss's upcoming appointment as Master of the Rolls.

The Lady Chief Justice stated, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Justice Joanna Smith as Deputy President of the Business and Property Division on an interim basis. She takes up this important responsibility, shortly after the creation of the new Division.” The Lady Chief Justice added that Mrs Justice Joanna Smith's "extensive judicial experience in the Business and Property Courts will enable her to help former Chancery and King’s Bench Division judges, along with newly appointed members of the High Court, to navigate this period of transition."

Judicial Background

Mrs Justice Joanna Smith's legal career began when she was called to the Bar in 1990. She achieved King's Counsel status in 2009. Her judicial appointments include serving as a Deputy High Court Judge from 2017 and a Judge of the High Court, assigned to the Chancery Division, from 2021. She has frequently sat in both the Chancery and King's Bench Divisions, and also presides in the Technology and Construction Court and the Patents Court. She previously chaired the Tribunal Procedure Committee from 2020 to 2024 and has chaired the Core Group of the Online Procedure Rule Committee since January 2026.