ONE of the UK's leading judges – Sir Ernest Ryder – will appear at the University of Bolton to speak about the justice system in times of austerity.

Sir Ryder will address the university's Law School in the fifth Annual Ryder Lecture on March 3 on 'The Modernisation of Access to Justice in Times of Austerity'.

Other notable lectures have been delivered by His Honour Judge Clayson, resident Senior Bolton Judge, who spoke on the subject of working for the United Nations and war crimes and Professor His Honour William Morris, Deputy Chair of Governors and a former circuit judge, who analysed mental health and the law.

Last year, the Right Honourable Dame Janet Smith spoke on 'Public Inquiries; are they worth the money, or are they a waste of time and effort?', amidst her chairing the Savile Inquiry

Professor Stephen Hardy, Head of the School of Law, said: "As this annual lecture series draws towards its fifth year, we are delighted and privileged that its Patron and inaugural lecturer, our Chancellor, returns to reflect on litigation today in his new senior judicial role and as one of our honorary Law Professors.

"More significantly, as a member of the senior judiciary, we are excited to hear his views, as he is best placed to discuss both the challenges and opportunities ahead."

Sir Ryder was educated at Bolton School and Peterhouse, Cambridge before beginning his career as a merchant banker with Grindley Brandt & Co.

He was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1981 and was made a Bencher in 2004. He was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Family Division in May 2004 and was the Judge in charge of the Modernisation of Family Justice, 2011-12. In 2013 he became a Lord Justice of Appeal and a Privy Counsellor and in 2015 was appointed as the Senior President of Tribunals for the next five important years of reform.

To register for the event visit: www.bolton.ac.uk/Events/RyderLecture/Home.aspx