The High Sheriff and his wife were kindly asked to sit with His Honour Judge Simon Tonking, who normally sits in the Staffordshire Courts but happened to be sitting in Shrewsbury Crown Court for the week. As well as general discussions on law and order in the county we were able to observe a case in court which was on going. A most interesting and fulfilling morning.

In 1997, at the age of 44, Simon became the youngest Circuit Judge in the country at that time. He became the Resident Judge at Stafford Combined Court in 2006. He also took on the rolls of Honorary Recorder of Stafford, Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire and Chairman of the Lichfield Cathedral Council.

Simon has also been involved with training newly appointed judges and is a Joint Course Director at the Judicial Studies Board, where he teaches the Criminal Induction Course.

He has also involved students from Staffordshire University’s Law School in filming training videos for the Judicial Studies Board, giving them invaluable, first-hand experience, and also provides undergraduates, committed to a legal career, with work experience at the Court.

The award of Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University was bestowed upon Judge Tonking for his vision, leadership and commitment in nurturing talents in the field of law.