District Judge Michael John Walker CBE
Born 8 July 1951
Educated: Sir John Deane's Grammar School, Northwich, Cheshire 1962-1969 and then University of Kent at Canterbury 1969-72. Graduated with 2:1 BA (Hons) in Law. College of Law, Guildford, for the Law Society finals, 1972-73
Articled with Norton Rose - then Norton Rose Botterell & Roche - 1973-75. Stayed on at NRB&R as an assistant solicitor (commercial litigation) 1975-78. In Jan 1979, disenchanted with commercial litigation in the City and never seeing the clients, changed tack entirely and joined Carpenter Costerton & Co (now just Carpenter & Co), a very typical High Street legal aid practice, in Wallington, Surrey. Headed the litigation department and indeed for some while was the litigation department! Majored as a matrimonial solicitor, with some civil litigation. Acted as a solicitor-advocate wherever possible.
- January 1981: became a partner in Carpenter Costerton & Co
- June 1982: married Elaine. Two daughters currently aged 23 and 20
- October 1991: appointed deputy District Judge
- April 1994: appointed a full-time District Judge to sit at Wandsworth County Court
- April 2000: became, and still am, Hon Secretary of Association of District Judges
- July 2002: became, and still am, a member of the Judges' Council
- 1 Jan 2007: appointed Commander of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours List
- September 2007: seconded to the Office of the Senior Presiding Judge for England & Wales
- April 2008: appointed a director of Her Majesty's Courts Service
Publications: contributor to both Jordans Civil Court Service (since 2000) and to Blackstone's Civil Practice (since 2004)
Recreations: sitting on committees, pottering around the garden, listening to classical music and, in between times, enjoying food and wine and dreaming of Italy.