The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, has retired after a distinguished 43-year legal career, marked by victories in his first 32 jury trials and a reputation for calm authority. During a valedictory ceremony at Liverpool Crown Court on July 4, 2026, Judge Menary reflected on his journey from a newcomer to the city's top judge.
Valedictory ceremony packed with dignitaries
Courtroom 41 was filled to capacity, with staff seated in the secure dock and proceedings broadcast live to two adjoining rooms. Around 90 people watched via video link. The bench included Lord Justice Edis, Mrs Justice Yip, and Mr Justice Goose. Judge Menary told the crowd: "43 years ago, I arrived in Liverpool, knowing nobody, never having set foot in the city. Today, I leave as its Recorder."
Career highlights and pandemic leadership
Judge Menary was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2003 and became a full-time judge in 2013. He was named Recorder of Liverpool in 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Liverpool Crown Court achieved the shortest backlog of any court in the UK. Lord Justice Edis praised him: "In Judge Menary, this court has had a great leader. He has never flinched from doing his duty."
Spider-Man inspiration and tributes
Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr noted a poster in Judge Menary's chambers with Spider-Man's words: "With great power comes great responsibility." She called him "our very own King of the North." Richard Pratt KC recalled their first meeting prosecuting a Tottenham Hotspur fan with a flick knife. Solicitor advocate Jeremy Rawson highlighted Judge Menary's "infinite patience, silky smooth powers of persuasion and fairness."
Judge Menary's reflections on his career
Judge Menary said: "People have asked me what will I miss most? The honest answer is this. It was never mainly about the judging." He recounted his first day at Dale Street magistrates' court in 1981, after the Toxteth riots, where a solicitor greeted him with an expletive. He added: "Somehow, this city adopted me, and it became my home."
Final departure and legacy
Four days earlier, Judge Menary had jailed a sex offender for five years in a low-key final sitting. At the ceremony, he waved to his grandchildren in the jury benches. His usher, Jayne, also retired after 24 years. Judge Menary concluded: "Not so much the judging, the people. Always the people."
