Andrew Menary KC Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Education, Chambers, Wife, Legal Career, Cases, Salary, Net Worth

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Andrew Menary KC is a prominent British legal figure who currently serves as the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool. In this role, which he has held since 2019, he acts as the senior circuit judge at Liverpool Crown Court. He is responsible for presiding over some of the most serious and high-profile criminal cases in the Merseyside region, including murders, large-scale fraud, and major public disorder incidents.

Born in 1959, Menary studied law at the University of Liverpool before being called to the Bar in 1982. He established a successful career as a barrister, specializing in serious crime and personal injury, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 2003. His judicial style is often noted for its focus on transparency and public interest; for example, during the legal proceedings following the 2024 Southport stabbings, he made the significant decision to lift reporting restrictions on the 17-year-old suspect’s identity to combat misinformation spreading online.

Recently, Menary has been at the center of several major headlines in late 2025. In December 2025, he sentenced Paul Doyle to over 21 years in prison for driving a car into a crowd at a Liverpool victory parade. Around the same time, he presided over the case of former footballer Joey Barton, handing down a suspended sentence for malicious communications directed at public figures. His role often places him in the public eye, and he has spoken openly about the challenges of the job, including receiving personal threats following high-tension sentencings.

Andrew Menary KC: Key Personal Details

Feature	Detail
Full Name	Andrew Gwyn Menary
Title	His Honour Judge Andrew Menary KC
Current Role	Honorary Recorder of Liverpool
Born	March 1959
Age	66 (as of late 2025)
Nationality	British
Spouse	Sarah Menary
Children	3 (including Holly Paige Menary and Luke Andrew Menary)

Early Life and Background

Born in March 1959, Andrew Gwyn Menary grew up in the United Kingdom. While specific details about his parents and childhood home are not widely publicized to protect his privacy, it is known that he developed an interest in the law from a young age.

His early life set the stage for a career defined by public service. Unlike many who enter the judiciary from a purely academic background, Menary’s career trajectory suggests a deep engagement with the practical realities of the legal system, eventually leading him to become a pillar of the Northern Circuit.

Education and Legal Qualifications

Andrew Menary pursued his legal studies at the University of Liverpool, where he laid the academic groundwork for his future career. His time in Liverpool helped him forge a strong connection with the city, a relationship that would come full circle decades later when he became its top judge.

Call to the Bar: He was called to the Bar in 1982, marking the official start of his legal practice.
Taking Silk: After establishing himself as a formidable barrister, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC)—now King’s Counsel (KC)—in 2003. This prestigious status is reserved for lawyers who have demonstrated excellence in advocacy.

Family Life: Wife and Children

Andrew Menary KC maintains a private personal life, though some details are known due to his public standing and his family’s involvement in the legal profession.

Wife

He is married to Sarah Menary. The couple has been long-established in the Merseyside area, with Sarah previously mentioned in connection with local community and social events, such as those organized by the Rotary Club.

Children

Menary is a father of three. The legal profession appears to run in the family:

Holly Paige Menary: Following in her father’s footsteps, Holly is a practicing barrister associated with 7 Harrington Street Chambers in Liverpool.
Luke Andrew Menary: He is also involved in the legal field, noted as a barrister practicing at Liverpool Civil Law.

The Menary family has faced the pressures of public life together. In 2024, Judge Menary spoke openly about receiving “unpleasant threats” directed at him and his family following his televised sentencing of rioters, crediting his family’s resilience during challenging times.

Career Journey: From Barrister to Top Judge

Early Career and Specialization

Before ascending to the bench, Andrew Menary had a highly successful career as a barrister. He practiced for over 30 years, specializing in serious crime and personal injury.

Criminal Defence and Prosecution: He regularly appeared in heavy-duty criminal cases, including fraud, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
Civil Law: He also possessed expertise in clinical negligence and catastrophic injury claims, making him a versatile advocate.

Judicial Appointments

Recorder (2002): His first step into the judiciary came when he was appointed as a Recorder, a part-time judge.
Circuit Judge (2013): He became a full-time Circuit Judge, initially assigned to the Midland Circuit and based at Birmingham Crown Court.
Honorary Recorder of Liverpool (2019): In 2019, he returned to the North West to take up the prestigious post of Honorary Recorder of Liverpool. In this capacity, he is the most senior judge at the Liverpool Combined Court Centre.

Notable Cases and Judgments

Andrew Menary KC has presided over numerous cases that have gripped the national headlines.

1. The Southport Riots Sentencing (2024)

Following the tragic stabbings in Southport, violent disorder erupted across the UK. Judge Menary took a hard line against those involved in the riots. He famously condemned the “twisted ideology” of the mob and refused to accept “mindless thuggery” as legitimate protest. He made the significant decision to lift reporting restrictions on the 17-year-old suspect in the initial stabbing case to halt the spread of dangerous misinformation online.

2. R v Joseph Barton (2025)

In December 2025, Judge Menary presided over the high-profile trial of former footballer Joey Barton. Barton was accused of malicious communications regarding posts made on social media about football pundits Eni Aluko and Jeremy Vine. Judge Menary handed down a suspended sentence, delivering a stinging rebuke in his sentencing remarks about the toxicity of online abuse.

3. The Liverpool Victory Parade Attack (2025)

Also in late 2025, Menary sentenced Paul Doyle to over 21 years in prison. Doyle had driven a car into a crowd of fans celebrating Liverpool FC’s victory parade. Menary’s sentencing remarks highlighted the reckless disregard for human life and the terror inflicted on the community.

4. Thomas Cashman and Lucy Letby Context

While other judges (such as Mr. Justice Goss) presided over the specific trials of Thomas Cashman and Lucy Letby, as the Recorder of Liverpool, Menary is responsible for the overall administration of justice in the court where these high-stakes trials occur, often managing the complex logistics and pre-trial hearings associated with such major litigation.

Salary and Net Worth

Salary

As a Senior Circuit Judge and the Recorder of Liverpool, Andrew Menary KC is among the higher earners in the judiciary. As of the 2025/2026 judicial pay scales:

Circuit Judges earn approximately £173,854 per year.
Senior roles like the Recorder of Liverpool often attract a higher band or additional allowances, potentially pushing the figure closer to £180,000 – £200,000.

Net Worth

Andrew Menary’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, considering his successful 30-year career as a top-tier barrister (where earnings for “Silks” can be substantial) followed by over a decade as a senior judge, he is undoubtedly financially secure.

Contact Information

For professional inquiries, Andrew Menary KC is based at the Liverpool Combined Court Centre.

Court Address: Liverpool Crown Court, The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 1XA.
Chambers: While he is now a judge and does not practice, his former chambers and family connections are linked to 7 Harrington Street Chambers in Liverpool.

Conclusion

Andrew Menary KC stands as a guardian of justice in Liverpool. His career has bridged the gap between fierce advocacy as a barrister and impartial adjudication as a judge. Whether facing down rioters, sentencing dangerous offenders, or navigating the complexities of modern digital crimes, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fairness and the protection of the public. As the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, he remains a central figure in the British legal landscape, ensuring that the rule of law prevails in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.

FAQs

Who is Andrew Menary KC?

Andrew Menary KC is a senior British judge serving as the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, presiding over serious criminal cases at Liverpool Crown Court.

How old is Andrew Menary KC?

Born in March 1959, Andrew Menary is approximately 66 years old (as of late 2025).

Is Andrew Menary married?

Yes, he is married to Sarah Menary.

Does Andrew Menary have children?

Yes, he has three children. Two of them, Holly Paige Menary and Luke Andrew Menary, are also barristers.

What famous cases has Judge Menary presided over?

He presided over the sentencing of the Southport rioters (2024), the trial of Joey Barton (2025), and the sentencing of Paul Doyle for the parade attack (2025).