Peter Gross (judge)

Peter Gross (judge)
Name	Peter Gross
Office	Lord Justice of Appeal
Term start	2010
Term end	2022
Office1	High Court Judge
Term start1	2001
Term end1	2010
Monarch1	Elizabeth II
Predecessor1	Sir John Blofeld
Successor1	Sir Nigel Teare
Birth date	1948
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge
Profession	Barrister, Judge

Peter Gross (judge). Sir Peter Henry Gross is a retired senior British judge who served as a Lord Justice of Appeal from 2010 to 2022. He was a High Court judge in the Queen's Bench Division for nearly a decade prior to his elevation to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. Gross is particularly noted for his expertise in commercial law, international arbitration, and shipping law, having presided over many significant cases in the Commercial Court.

Early life and education

Peter Gross was born in 1948. He pursued his higher education at Trinity College, Cambridge, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, he read law and graduated with a degree that provided a foundation for his future legal career. His academic training at this prestigious institution positioned him for entry into the legal profession during the 1970s.

Legal career

Gross was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn in 1971. He developed a substantial practice as a barrister, specializing in commercial law and admiralty law. He practiced from Essex Court Chambers, a leading set of chambers in London known for commercial and international work. His practice involved significant litigation in the Commercial Court and appearances before various arbitration tribunals. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1990, recognizing his standing as a leading advocate in his field.

Judicial career

Peter Gross was appointed a High Court judge in 2001, receiving the customary knighthood, and was assigned to the Queen's Bench Division. He served as a judge of the Commercial Court, a specialist court within the division handling complex business disputes. In 2010, he was promoted to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, becoming a Lord Justice of Appeal and being appointed to the Privy Council. He served as the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales from 2015 to 2018, a key administrative role overseeing the judiciary below the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Notable cases and rulings

During his tenure, Gross presided over many high-profile commercial cases. He heard appeals concerning the Libor scandal and its regulatory fallout. He was involved in significant rulings on jurisdiction and arbitration, including cases with connections to Russia and the Middle East. In the field of shipping law, he ruled on disputes involving charterparties, marine insurance, and collisions. His judgment in *Fiona Trust & Holding Corp v Privalov* (relating to arbitration clauses) was later upheld by the House of Lords.

Professional activities and recognition

Beyond the bench, Gross has been active in the international legal community. He has served as a judge of the Courts of Appeal of Jersey and Guernsey. He has been involved with the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and has lectured on commercial law topics. His expertise in arbitration led to roles with the London Court of International Arbitration. In recognition of his service, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor upon his High Court appointment.

Personal life

Peter Gross is married to Philippa Gross, who is also a barrister. Details of his family life are kept private. Outside of his judicial work, he has an interest in history and the arts. Following his retirement from the Court of Appeal in 2022, he continues to contribute to the legal field through occasional arbitration work and lectures.

Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:English judges Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Category:Lord Justices of Appeal