Sir Michael John Burton (born 12 November 1946), styled Mr Justice Burton, is a former judge in the

High Court of England and Wales The High Court of Justice in London, known properly as His Majesty's High Court of Justice in England, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, are the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Its name is abbreviated as EWHC (England ...

. He was the President of the

Investigatory Powers Tribunal In the United Kingdom, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) is a judicial body, independent of the British government, which hears complaints about surveillance by public bodies—in fact, "the only Tribunal to whom complaints about the Intel ...

between October 2013 and September 2018, having been vice-president since its inception in 2000, the Chair of the Central Arbitration Committee for over 17 years (2000 to 2017) and the former President of the

Employment Appeal Tribunal The Employment Appeal Tribunal is a tribunal in England and Wales and Scotland, and is a superior court of record. Its primary role is to hear appeals from Employment Tribunals in England, Scotland and Wales. It also hears appeals from decisions ...

(2002–2005), which was reformed under his presidency. He was educated at

Eton College Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, ...

and Balliol College, Oxford. Prior to his judicial appointment, in 1998, he was head of Littleton Chambers (1991–1998). He was appointed KC in 1984. Until January 2011 Burton was Chairman of the High Court Judges Association and served as Treasurer of

Gray's Inn The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London. To be called to the bar in order to practise as a barrister in England and W ...

in 2012. He was appointed

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(GBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours. Sir Michael is the figurehead of the

since its inception in 2000 and has played a pivotal role in the UK's world-leading oversight of its security and intelligence agencies. He has ruled on landmark cases that have had a considerable impact on the landscape of investigatory powers. He has adapted the Tribunal to deal with new, wide-ranging counter-terrorism powers and to ensure that it is working within the law. He is a widower with four daughters and ten grandchildren. He founded the Corinne Burton Memorial Trust in 1992 in memory of his late wife, and for the past 26 years the Trust has funded art therapy for cancer patients as well as providing support for students wanting to pursue this field. Most notably, he has set up a scholarship fund at Goldsmiths College, London University which is awarded every year to a student who wishes to study art psychotherapy with a focus on cancer care. As Chair of the Trust, he maintains an active role in its funding projects, outreach activities and strategic direction.BIRTHDAY HONOURS 2019 – HIGH AWARDS
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Michael 1946 births Living people People educated at Eton College Alumni of Balliol College, Oxford Queen's Bench Division judges Knights Bachelor British King's Counsel Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire 21st-century English judges