We are very pleased to announce that Clifford Bellamy, who retired as the Designated Family Judge for Derby last month, has agreed to act as a patron of The Transparency Project*.

We were sorry when we learned of Judge Bellamy’s imminent retirement, as he has been an absolute champion of openness and collaborative practice in the family courts for many years. His record in the high number of carefully crafted judgments he has sent to BAILII speaks for itself. Following the Family Justice Review, back in 2011, he began a series of regular newsletters and website updates for his then local court area in Leicestershire.

We felt that the family justice system was losing a very valuable asset and so we invited him to become a patron of our charity. This means that he will have an opportunity to remain informed about future developments in practice, and we can call on his vast experience, from time to time as we develop.

Clifford Bellamy was appointed a District Judge in 1995 and promoted to the Circuit Bench in 2004. He was appointed as the Designated Family Judge in three successive posts in the Midlands between 2006 and 2019 and in 2006 was also appointed a Deputy High Court Judge. From 2009 to 2018, he was a part-time Tribunal Judge in the Mental Health Tribunal. Clifford Bellamy was ordained as a Methodist Minister in June 2001. He has now been appointed as a Deputy Circuit Judge and will therefore continue hearing cases on occasion.

* A charity patron is a person of standing who supports the charity’s aims but does not hold any duties or responsibilities regarding its operations.