Tom Wilson acted for the Respondent father in an appeal against Mr Justice Keehan’s decision to refuse an application for him to recuse himself made in long-running private law proceedings concerning a child. The application for recusal was based on an alleged appearance of bias against the appellant mother, including alleged judicial bullying of her counsel.

The Court of Appeal did not accept the appellant’s arguments and dismissed the appeal, holding that there was no basis on which the judge should have recused himself. The Court of Appeal also gave some general guidance in relation to situations of conflict between Bar and Bench.

Tom was instructed by Sally Robinson of Shoosmiths, now Harrison Clark Rickerbys.