Teesside Combined Court hosts Regional Mock Trials
Teesside Combined Court had the pleasure of hosting this years regional schools mock trial competition on Saturday 29th November 2025. Schools from around the region, and further afield, attended to take part in mock criminal trials. The mock trials were presided over by local Judges HHJ Bennett, HHJ Kidd and HHJ Murray, with the welcome addition of a practicing barrister from Exchange Chambers, Mr Fennell (pictured).
All of the pupils performed brilliantly and are a great credit to their schools and families. However, there could only be one winner to attend the national final.
Congratulations to Royal Latin School for winning this years regional competition! Best of luck in the final!
01.12.2025
HHJ Boothroyd appointed as Circuit Judge
It is with great pleasure that the DFJ congratulates Her Honour Judge Boothroyd on her well deserved appointment as a Circuit Judge. HHJ Boothroyd has been elevated from her position as a highly regarded District Judge in Middlesbrough.
With her wealth of experience as a family law barrister prior to her judicial appointment, she will no doubt prove to be invaluable in the administration of our local family justice.
03.11.2025
Teesside Legal Walk 2025
A very successful legal walk took place on 2nd October 2025 from outside the Teesside Combined Court Centre. The event was aimed at raising funds for the charity Access to Justice Foundation.
The walk was undertaken by students, solicitors, lawyers and Judges, all wanting to make a difference.
Thanks to Ms Adeola from Trinity Chambers and Ms Moody from Jackson's solicitors for organising the event.
If anyone would like to donate to the cause, please follow this link.
Tees Valley pilots the Domestic Abuse Protection Order
Following successful pilots having been undertaken in Manchester and parts of South London, Teesside has been chosen to continue to expand the pilot. Domestic Abuse Protection Orders are new Orders aimed at protecting victims of domestic abuse. They are Orders which can be applied for, or made of the Court's own motion, in criminal, civil and family Courts.
The pilot is running in the non-metropolitan districts of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
For more information on Domestic Abuse Protection Orders please follow this link
24.09.2025
New DFJ website launched!
The Designated Family Judge is excited to announce the launch of the new website. The intention behind creating the website is to assist all stakeholders who attend the Family Court in Cleveland and South Durham. It is also intended to be a convenient place to find relevant protocols, guidance and tools, for all Court users.
22.09.2025
Bullying, harassment and sexual harassment
The DFJ is clear that more must be done to tackle issues around bullying, harassment and sexual harassment within/around the Court proceedings. The recent independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar undertaken by Baroness Harriet Harman KC, indicates that the problem is real and often under reported. Any such behaviour perpetrated by professionals, or the judiciary, must not be tolerated.
Whilst the recommendations within that report are digested, the DFJ makes it clear that any concerns around judicial bullying within our local family justice system should be raised directly, and confidentially, with the DFJ. It is only if an issue is known, that something can then be done about it. If the issue relates to the DFJ, the deputy DFJ should be approached in the same confidential way.
One of the recommendations from the report suggests that "Talk to the Spot", a web-based app, is widened to include reporting of concerns around judicial conduct. That resource is currently available for barristers who are experiencing issues within the Bar. Advocates are directed to this website for more information about the web-app, or alternatively can access the app directly through the below link.
20.09.25
