Simon Brown, Baron Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom | |
| In office 1 October 2009 – 9 April 2012 |
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| Nominated by | Jack Straw |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill |
| Lord of Appeal in Ordinary | |
| In office 13 January 2004 – 30 September 2009 |
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| Preceded by | The Lord Hobhouse of Woodborough |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Lord Justice of Appeal | |
| In office 1992–2004 |
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| High Court Judge | |
| In office 1984–1992 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Simon Denis Brown
9 April 1937 Sheffield, England, UK |
| Died | 7 July 2023 (aged 86) |
| Spouse |
Jennifer Buddicom
(m. 1963) |
| Alma mater | Worcester College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Profession | Barrister |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1955-57 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
Simon Denis Brown, Baron Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood (born April 9, 1937 – died July 7, 2023) was an important British judge. He served as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, which was a top judge in the House of Lords. Later, he became a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2009 to 2012.
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Early Life and Education
Simon Denis Brown was born in 1937 in Sheffield, England. His parents were Denis Baer Brown and Edna Elizabeth Brown. He went to Stowe School from 1950 to 1955. There, he developed a strong interest in history and even won the school's main history award.
After school, Simon planned to study history at Worcester College at Oxford University. However, he first had to complete two years of mandatory National Service in the military from 1955 to 1957.
Military Service
Simon Brown joined the Royal Artillery for his basic training. He then went for officer training. On March 24, 1956, he became a second lieutenant. He was first stationed in Essex.
The next month, he traveled to Malta. He was then sent to Cyprus. He returned to Essex in the spring of 1957. His active military service ended on July 29, 1957. Before starting university, he spent a summer working in New York City.
University and Law Studies
In 1957, Simon Brown began his studies at Oxford University. He initially studied history. However, by May 1958, he decided to switch to law. He aimed to become a barrister, a type of lawyer who argues cases in court.
During his university breaks, he often traveled around Europe. He also worked as a tour guide to earn money. After three years, he graduated from Oxford. In February 1961, he officially became a barrister.
Legal Career Journey
Simon Brown started his legal career as a Recorder from 1979 to 1984. This meant he was a part-time judge. He also worked as a senior lawyer for the government. In 1980, he became a Master of the Bench at the Middle Temple. This is one of the four groups that train barristers in London.
Becoming a Judge
In 1984, Simon Brown was appointed a High Court Judge. This is a senior judge in England and Wales. He was assigned to the Queen's Bench Division, which handles many different types of cases. When he became a High Court Judge, he also received a knighthood.
In 1992, he became a Lord Justice of Appeal. This meant he was a judge in the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. This court hears appeals from lower courts. In the same year, he also became a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. From 2001 to 2003, he was the vice-president of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal.
Highest Judicial Roles
On January 13, 2004, Simon Brown was appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. These were the highest judges in the United Kingdom at the time. Because of this role, he became a life peer. This means he was given a title, Baron Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood, and could sit in the House of Lords. He was an independent member, known as a crossbencher.
On October 1, 2009, a new court was created called the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Lord Brown and nine other Lords of Appeal in Ordinary became the first Justices of this new court. He retired from the Supreme Court in 2012. He later retired from the House of Lords on June 19, 2023.
Personal Life
Simon Brown married Jennifer Buddicom on May 31, 1963. They had two sons, Benedict and Daniel, and one daughter, Abigail. They also had five grandchildren. Lord Brown passed away on July 7, 2023, at the age of 86.
