Victoria Sharp

Dame Victoria Madeleine Sharp, (born 8 February 1956) is a British judge. She has been the President of the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice since 2019.

Early life and education

She is the daughter of The Lord Sharp of Grimsdyke. Her twin brother is Richard Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker, and former Chairman of the BBC. She is of Jewish faith. She was educated at North London Collegiate School and the University of Bristol.

Career

Sharp was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1979 and joined 1 Brick Court in 1982, mainly practising in defamation and media law. She became a Recorder in 1998, and a QC in 2001.

She was Presiding Judge of the Western Circuit from 2012 to 2013, and was appointed a Lady Justice of Appeal in 2013. She became Vice-President of the Queen's Bench Division on 1 January 2016, succeeding Sir Nigel Davis. She became President of the Queen's Bench Division from 23 June 2019 succeeding Sir Brian Leveson.

On 14 January 2026, it was announced that she will be retiring from her role as President of the King's Bench Division and as a judge in October 2026.

On 13 February 2026, Sharp ruled in favour of the Palestine Action ban being considered unlawful.