Lord Chancellor upgrades Lewes judge

Judge Brown has been a circuit judge since 1992 and was made resident judge at Lewes in 1996.

The court centre has recently opened two further courts in Brighton increasing the remit of the judge to ten courts.

Judge Richard Brown said: 'I am both very pleased and honoured to have been appointed.

'I would like to stress how much I have valued the support of my fellow judges, court manager, staff and many others involved in the criminal justice system in Sussex.

'The volume of crown court work has been rising beyond the national average in recent years and these two extra courts will hopefully assist in reducing the unacceptable delay experienced by witnesses and defendants awaiting a trial date.'