Mr Justice MacDonald | |
---|---|
Justice of the High Court | |
Assumed office 2 June 2015 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Alistair William Orchard MacDonald 22 February 1970 |
Nationality | British |
Spouse | Penelope MacDonald |
Residence | Birmingham |
Alma mater |
University of Nottingham City University |
Occupation |
Judge Barrister Queen's Counsel |
Sir Alistair William Orchard MacDonald (born 22 February 1970), [1] styled The Hon. Mr Justice MacDonald, has been a judge in the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales since 2 June 2015. [a] As a barrister he specialised in child protection. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
MacDonald received a BA in Archaeology from the University of Nottingham and worked as an archaeologist for three years, without obtaining grant funding for an offered Ph.D. position. [7] He then obtained a Diploma in Law from City University. [8]
MacDonald was called to the bar in 1995 and undertook pupillage at Priory Chambers, 2 Fountain Court. In 2008 he won Barrister of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards, [9] and later that year appeared on the BBC television series Barristers. [7]
He became a Recorder in 2009, and QC in 2011. [10] He practised in family law, particularly the rights of children. [2] He was co-chairman of the Association of Lawyers for Children, speaking out against reductions in legal aid [11] [12] increases in court fees for local authorities, [13] and a reduction of family law barrister fees. [14] He is on the board of the journal Child and Family Law Quarterly. [2]
He was made a Knight Bachelor on 10 November 2015. [15]
The case of Alta Fixsler, a two year old Haredi girl from Manchester, England who was placed on a ventilator after a severe brain injury came before MacDonald. The case drew international attention after MacDonald ruled on May 21, 2021 that her life support be withdrawn. [16]
New Law Journal said "This book is the reference work for the family advocate who wishes to use the CRC on behalf of the children they represent." [17]