Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division of the High Court, died on 1 January 2026. He was widely regarded as one of the best Family Judges since the inception of the Division in 1971 and for a range of reasons; his humanity, his erudition and his sheer devotion to his work involving children and families. I worked with him on many occasions in court (uniquely for a solicitor appearing before him in the Court of Appeal) and when writing and teaching child law. He was always most generous with his time and expertise. He was a man of real principle who spoke his mind.

One of his most famous quotes was in a case in 2004 and more than 20 years later the simple concept he articulated bears repetition.

” We cannot afford to proceed on the blinkered assumption that there have been no miscarriages of justice in the family justice system. This is something that has to be addressed with honesty and candour if the family justice system is not to suffer further loss of public confidence. Open and public debate in the media is essential.”

Substitute local government for family justice and move on to 2026.

Richard White