Masters of the Bench

Full Title: The Hon Ms Justice Heather Norton

Category: Ordinary Bencher

Bench Call Date: 14-07-2026

Call Date: 22-11-1988

Bio:

The Hon Ms Justice Norton DBE, who was appointed to the High Court (King’s Bench Division) in October 2025,  was called to the Bar in 1988. Following pupillage, she practised firstly from 3 Temple Gardens (now 23 Essex Street), and latterly, from QEB Hollis Whiteman, specialising in crime and professional discipline.

She was appointed as a recorder in 2007, a Circuit Judge in 2012,  Resident Judge of Canterbury Crown Court and Recorder of Canterbury in 2016; and Resident Judge of Reading Crown Court in 2018. She was a member of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee from 2022, and a Judicial College Tutor from 2016 until her appointment to the High Court.

She is a member of the Advisory Editorial Board for Blackstone’s Criminal Practice, and the co-author of a number of publications, including the Child Defendants in the Crown Court Bench Book – Jointly with HHJ Gareth Branston.

She has a particular interest in the treatment of children in the criminal justice system, and is currently the Judicial Lead for Youth Justice.

She is married with two grown up children.