Bradford Council is expected to agree next week to make Judge James Stewart QC the new Honorary Recorder of Bradford.

At a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, councillors will be asked to approve the appointment, which comes as the existing Recorder, Judge Stephen Gullick, steps down.

Judge Stewart is set to take over the role from July 20, and, if approved, the Council will hold an installation ceremony.

A report to the Council meeting said: “The position of Honorary Recorder is classified as an ‘office of dignity’ and the appointee must be a circuit judge or recorder. The post must be appointed by a resolution of the Council and is an honorary position.

“His Honour Judge Stewart QC has indicated his willingness to accept the invitation to this office if the Council is minded to approve his appointment.

“A response from the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales, Lord Justice Leveson, is outstanding but it is anticipated that he will have no objection to our proceeding in this way.”

Judge Stewart was born in Bradford, educated in the city and was in Bradford Chambers from his call to the Bar in 1966 until he took silk in 1982.

The report said: “Judge Stewart regards himself as a Bradfordian through and through and feels very honoured to be offered this post.”

One of Judge Stewart’s most high-profile cases was of multiple rapist David Harrison, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in July last year. The QC warned that Harrison was so dangerous he should die in jail.

The judge’s father Henry Hamilton Stewart was made a Freeman of the City of Bradford in 1974 in recognition of his medical services to the city. He was a surgeon whose patients came from all over the world. He was known as the ‘Woolman’s Surgeon’.

Judge Stewart’s mother Edna Hamilton was a Justice of the Peace in Bradford for 25 years.

The Council voted to revive the title of Honorary Recorder following the riots in the city in 2001 and Judge Gullick took up the position the following year.

The Council welcomed the fact that any crown court cases arising from the riots would be heard by him.

Judge Gullick’s time as resident judge is due to end on July 17 and he is resigning as Honorary Recorder too.

A dinner is being held on Friday in his honour. It will be at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford and guests include the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor John Godward, as well as the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Judith Elliott. Comedian Barry Cryer will provide the entertainment.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk