Neil Usher & Katherine Pierpoint Appointed to the Circuit Bench

Lincoln House Chambers is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Usher and Katherine Pierpoint to the Circuit Bench.

Neil was called to the bar in 1993 (Middle Temple) and was Patrick Cassidy’s pupil at Kenworthy’s Chambers before moving to Lincoln House Chambers in 1998.

Neil was appointed as a Crown Court Recorder in 2019.

The Lord Chief Justice has deployed Neil to the Northern Circuit, based at Manchester Crown Court, with effect from 2nd October 2023. He will be known as His Honour Judge Usher.

The full announcement can be found here. Circuit Judge Appointment: Usher – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Katherine was called to the bar in 1998 (Lincolns Inn) and has spent her entire career at Lincoln House Chambers having started as Jeremy Lasker’s pupil.

Katherine was appointed as a Crown Court Recorder in 2016.

The Lord Chief Justice has deployed Katherine to the Northern Circuit, based at Liverpool Crown Court with effect from 2nd October 2023. She will be known as Her Honour Judge Pierpoint.

The full announcement can be found here.

Head of Chambers, Kate Blackwell KC, had to say this of the appointments:

“We are tremendously proud to see the announcements of Neil & Katherine’s appointment as Circuit Judges. They have both been members of Lincoln House Chambers for more than 20 years. Katherine has worked tirelessly for Chambers and has been one of the driving forces who have helped make it the success that it is today, she has served on Chambers Management Committee and Pupillage Committees throughout her time in Chambers and has provided inspiration and support to her pupils, and other members, both junior and senior to her. She has had a fantastic career at the bar, in particular dealing with complex cases in the Crown Court. Neil has also been a very active member of Chambers having served on committees and been a pupil supervisor. He too has enjoyed a wonderful career at the bar often appearing in Crown Court cases of national significance, and complex medical disciplinary tribunals. We are grateful for everything they have done for Chambers over the years and wish them every success in their new careers on the Bench.”