The Inn is delighted to note the Judicial appointment of the following Gray’s Inn Members in December 2025.
Neil Moody
The Lady Chief Justice is delighted to welcome the appointment by His Majesty the King of Neil Moody KC to the High Court.
Mr Justice Moody will be assigned to the King’s Bench Division where he will bring over 36 years of experience as a barrister, and two years of judicial experience as a Deputy High Court Judge, to the role.
This appointment will fill a vacancy in the High Court following elevations to the Court of Appeal and confirmed retirements.
Neil Moody KC will be known as The Honourable Mr Justice Moody. He was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1989 and took Silk in 2010. He was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2023.
He will take up his appointment on 29 January 2026.
Find out more on the Judiciary website.
David Payne
The King has appointed David Payne to be a Circuit Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable David Lammy MP, and the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill.
The Lady Chief Justice has deployed him to the Midlands Circuit, based at Stafford Combined Court Centre, with effect from 5 January 2026.
David Payne will be known as His Honour Judge David Payne. He was called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 2003. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2022.
Find out more on the Judiciary website.
Mandy Nepal
The Senior President of Tribunals, Lord Justice Dingemans has appointed Tribunal Judge Nepal to be a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, assigned to the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber, with effect from 5 January 2026.
Mandy Nepal will be known as Tribunal Judge Nepal. She was admitted to the roll in 2004, and called to the bar (Gray’s Inn) in 2018. She was appointed as a fee-paid First-tier Tribunal Judge in 2021.