First High Court judge to be formally addressed as Ms Justice

Alison Russell QC, a High Court judge, has become the first to be formally addressed as Ms Justice.

The Guardian reported that she has had the title approved by Lord Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice, and Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division of the High Court.

Judges in the High Court have traditionally been referred to as Mr Justice or Mrs Justice, however, Ms Justice Russell has now been given permission to use the new title in court.

'This is now official nomenclature,' said a spokesperson. 'On her appointment - 13 January 2014 - she asked the lord chief justice, with the support of the president of the Family Division, if she could use this title, and he approved her request.'

Ms Justice Russell previously practised at 1, Garden Court chambers in London, where she specialised in family law and human rights, before joining the bench full time in January. She was shortlised at last year's Family Law Awards for Family Law QC of the Year.

Ms Justice Russell, 55, was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn in 1983 and took Silk in 2008. She has sat previously as a recorder and is a member of the Family Justice Council.