Judge Richard Mansell KC spoke of his huge pride in being Honorary Recorder of Bradford at a ceremony in the Council Chamber in City Hall to formally appoint him to the post.

Praising Bradford’s great heritage and wonderful architecture as the former wool capital of the world, he said it had fallen on hard times but there was now ‘a serious upturn in its fortunes.’

He said projects including the redevelopment of the Odeon Cinema and the plans for the Kirkgate Centre site meant the city was entering a really exciting period.

He would ensure that the strong links between the courts and the city were maintained throughout his time as Recorder.

The Council approved Judge Mansell’s appointment as Honorary Recorder at a meeting in December, 2020, following consultation with the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales. But his formal swearing-in ceremony was delayed by the Covid pandemic.

Today’s occasion was attended by Judge Mansell’s wife, Michelle Colborne KC, and their three children, along with members of the court staff and civic leaders, including Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council.

In the opening speech of the morning, the Director of Legal & Governance, Asif Ibrahim, said on behalf of Bradford Council: “The relationship between city and judiciary promotes a strong and confident community.”

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, said Judge Mansell studied law at Leeds University and was called to the Bar in 1991.

He began his career in chambers at No. 6 Park Square, Leeds, and moved to Bradford Broadway House chambers in 2012. During this time he sat as a part-time Recorder at Bradford Crown Court.

He was appointed a Circuit Judge on the Northern Circuit in Manchester Crown Square in January, 2013, and took up his position as Resident Judge at Bradford Combined Courts in August, 2020.

Cllr Love said Judge Mansell, originally from the West Midlands, was a keen cricketer and footballer.

Speaking on behalf of the Bar, Mark McKone KC said Judge Mansell was ‘one of the greatest advocates of his generation.’

All the city’s previous Recorders had been ‘judges of great gravitas’ and Judge Mansell would continue that tradition with his appointment: although not originally from Yorkshire ‘his heart was in Bradford.’

His Honour Judge Tim Clayson KC described Judge Mansell as ‘hardworking, socially aware, courageous and yet humane.’

Abdul Iftikhar said on behalf of Bradford Law Society and local defence solicitors that he looked forward to working with Judge Mansell in the rich and diverse community of the great district of Bradford.

He was fair and compassionate and instilled public confidence in the criminal justice system.