Top family law judge Mr Justice Bodey retires ============================================= ![Top family law judge Mr Justice Bodey retires](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/5553c7c6d5602e123db2892a7d143bb0.jpeg)The Honourable Mr Justice Bodey retired from the High Court (Family Division) with effect from 15 October 2017. Mr Justice Bodey, 70, has enjoyed a long and prominent career in law. He was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1970 and went on to take silk in 1991 before being elected a Bencher in 1998. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1989, a Recorder in 1993 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 1994. Five years later he was appointed a Judge of the High Court (Family Division) and was the Family Division Liaison Judge for London from 1999 to 2001, and for the North Eastern Circuit from 2001 to 2007. He was appointed a Member of the Family Justice Council and Director of Family Training for the Judicial College in 2008. Mr Justice Bodey has presided over many significant cases during his career, including the widely publicised '[Neon Cancer'](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/dec/18/neon-roberts-cancer-ruling-judge) case in 2012, involving a young boy whose mother refused to allow him to undergo radiotherapy, against the recommendations of doctors and experts. Sir Bodey also famously awarded Pauline Chai, the former Miss Malaysia, an award of 64 million at the close of a 'titanic', 4 year divorce [case](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-client-pauline-chai-secures-one-of-the-highest-ever-court-awards/). At a ceremony held to mark his retirement, Mr Justice Body spoke of his dismay over the Ministry of Justice's slow progress in reviewing the effects of the 2012 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders ("Laspo") Act. The Laspo Act removed over £350m from the legal aid budget and took away the right to legal representation in many key areas of the law, including divorce, child custody and housing. This Act has severely impacted the family courts, with more than a third of cases now involving unrepresented litigants on both sides. Speaking to an audience of the country's top judges, he [said](https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/oct/13/senior-judge-warns-over-shaming-impact-of-legal-aid-cuts) it was "shaming" to preside over cases in which individuals had no choice but to represent themselves. "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Family Law news -------------------- [Greece changes law so trans citizens can change gender with a court ruling](https://vardags.com/family-law/greece-change-gender-court-ruling "Greece changes law so trans citizens can change gender with a court ruling") [Secure accommodation orders are not a matter for the High Court, says judge](https://vardags.com/family-law/secure-accommodation-orders-are-not-a-matter-for-the-high-court "Secure accommodation orders are not a matter for the High Court, says judge") [Top family law judge Mr Justice Bodey retires](https://vardags.com/family-law/mr-justice-bodey-retires "Top family law judge Mr Justice Bodey retires") [Jamie Vardy's wife's maintenance case reveals the failings of CMS once more](https://vardags.com/family-law/jamie-vardys-wife-maintenance-case-shows-failings-cms "Jamie Vardy's wife's maintenance case reveals the failings of CMS once more") [Father's application to relocate children to Switzerland granted](https://vardags.com/family-law/father-relocation-application-children-switzerland-granted "Fathers application to relocate children to Switzerland granted") Articles by Kate Williams ------------------------- [Berlin same-sex couple become the first to adopt a child in Germany](https://vardags.com/family-law/berlin-sex-couple-become-first-adopt-child-germany "Berlin same-sex couple become the first to adopt a child in Germany") [Secure accommodation orders are not a matter for the High Court, says judge](https://vardags.com/family-law/secure-accommodation-orders-are-not-a-matter-for-the-high-court "Secure accommodation orders are not a matter for the High Court, says judge") [Top family law judge Mr Justice Bodey retires](https://vardags.com/family-law/mr-justice-bodey-retires "Top family law judge Mr Justice Bodey retires") [Transgender couple delighted to be first to marry in Nepal](https://vardags.com/family-law/first-transgender-marriage-nepal "Transgender couple delighted to be first to marry in Nepal") [Property billionaire claims fake marriage to protect fortune](https://vardags.com/family-law/property-billionaire-claims-fake-marriage-to-protect-fortune "Property billionaire claims fake marriage to protect fortune")