Master James Wadsworth (His Honour James Wadsworth KC) sadly died on Tuesday 17 February 2026, aged 85.

Master Wadsworth was called to the Bar by the Inn in 1963 and took silk in 1981. He became a Deputy Circuit Judge in 1977 and a Recorder in 1980. In 1999, he sat as a Deputy High Court Judge and, in the same year, took up the role of fee-paid legal member of the Restricted Patients Panel. In 2000, he was elevated to the office of Circuit Judge, serving until his retirement on 7 September 2010. Alongside his judicial duties, he served as a fee-paid legal member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal from 2004.

He was elected a Bencher of the Inn in 1988.

The Inn’s flag was flown at half-mast in his memory on Thursday 26 February 2026. Details of a memorial service will be circulated in due course as appropriate.