Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos retires

Sir Geoffrey Vos retired from his position as Master of the Rolls on 30 October 2026. His career has been marked by advocacy for the modernisation of justice, particularly through the integration of new technologies.

Upon his appointment to the senior judicial role in 2021, Sir Geoffrey also assumed the position of Head of Civil Justice, becoming the second most senior judge in England and Wales. Prior to this, he served as Chancellor of the High Court starting in 2016.

Focus on Digitalisation and Access

In his capacity as Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey presided over the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal, overseeing the organisation and deployment of judges' work. Throughout his decade in senior judicial leadership, he consistently promoted the digital transformation of civil justice. He frequently discussed the implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.

As Head of Civil Justice, he supported the work of County Courts nationwide, undertaking visits to over 100 courts to understand the experiences of staff and users. His judicial career commenced with an appointment as a Deputy High Court Judge in 1999. He later served on the Courts of Appeal for Jersey and Guernsey for four years from 2005, before becoming a High Court Judge in October 2009 and a Lord Justice of Appeal in 2013.

During his 13 years in the Court of Appeal, he presided over significant and complex cases across civil, family, and tribunal law. One notable judgment he delivered was in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council [2023] EWCA Civ 1416, which affirmed the court's authority to direct parties towards non-court dispute resolution methods under specific conditions.

Contributions Beyond the Bench

Beyond his judicial responsibilities, Sir Geoffrey has been involved with the LawtechUK Panel and was instrumental in establishing the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce in 2018 and the International Jurisdiction Taskforce in 2025. These bodies aim to clarify legal principles for new technologies and have issued statements on digital assets and AI liability.

He also serves as Vice President of the European Law Institute (ELI), offering a judicial perspective and fostering international engagement within the legal community. Sir Geoffrey has been a frequent public speaker, addressing topics such as the responsible use of AI, mediation, social mobility in law, and the digitalisation of courts at various institutions and international forums.

Following his retirement from the judiciary, Sir Geoffrey will continue his work with ELI and the jurisdiction taskforces. He is also set to chair the steering group of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts, an organisation dedicated to fostering cooperation among global commercial courts.

Sir Geoffrey expressed pride in the progress made during his tenure regarding digitalisation, reducing reliance on paper, and enhancing access to justice. He acknowledged the crucial role of judges across the system in achieving these advances through their cooperation and innovation.