Law Commission welcomes new Chief Executive

Phil Golding has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Law Commission. Welcoming his appointment, Sir David Bean, Chairman of the Law Commission, said:

“I am delighted that Phil Golding is our new Chief Executive. Phil is no stranger to the Law Commission, having worked here in 2004–5 as Head of Corporate Services. Since then he has served in a number of significant roles including as Private Secretary to the Senior Presiding Judge and most recently as HM Courts and Tribunals Service Head of Crime for the South West Region. His experience of the justice system is not confined to helping to run it: he sits as a magistrate in Hampshire.

“I am confident that Phil will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Law Commission.”

Phil, who started with the Commission today, said:

“I am delighted to be returning to the Law Commission to lead the organisation as its Chief Executive. Having spent the last few years working to provide a service to court users across all jurisdictions, I know first-hand that the Law Commission’s stated aim of ensuring that the law is fair, modern, simple and effective is more important than ever.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Commissioners, staff and stakeholders to help deliver a new programme of law reform as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

Phil’s experience of the justice system stretches back to 1994 when he joined the then Lord Chancellor’s Department. Since then he has progressed through the ranks via Ministerial Private Offices and various communication roles, including as Head of Corporate Services for the Law Commission. After serving between 2008 and 2011 as Head of the Senior Presiding Judge’s office, he moved to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to undertake a number of operational roles, including Cluster Manager for the London Crown Courts and Cluster Manager for Avon & Somerset and Gloucestershire. He joins the Commission from his role as HMCTS Head of Crime for the South West.