Justine Thornton
Encyclopedia
Justine Thornton is a British barrister
, and the wife of Ed Miliband
, the current Leader of the Labour Party. She is a former child actress who appeared in Dramarama
and Hardwicke House
.
and educated at West Bridgford School
.
Thornton was a member of the Central Junior Television Workshop
at the age of 16. In 1987 Thornton starred as Erica, a rebellious schoolgirl, in the hour-long pilot episode "The Visit" of Hardwicke House
, a controversial ITV sitcom that was later pulled from the schedules after only two episodes had been transmitted following a backlash over its content. In 1988, Thornton starred as Chrissie in an episode of the long-running children's programme Dramarama titled "Snap Decision", which was aired in January 1989.
Thornton read Law
at Robinson College, Cambridge
, graduating with a Master's Degree
in 1992. She was called to the Bar
in 1994.
The 2010 edition of Legal 500, the lawyers’ directory, simply called her “first class”.
She was appointed as an adviser to the British Government
on biotechnology and the environment in 2000, a role she had until 2005 and was later on the Attorney General's C Panel. She has also served for the Welsh Assembly Government
, and in 2009 was shortlisted for Chambers and Partners Environmental and Planning Junior of the Year.
Thornton has also worked on several law related publications. Among them, she is the general editor of Sweet and Maxwell's 'Encyclopedia of Environmental Law', and a co-author of Sweet and Maxwell's textbook series on environmental law. She also co-authored of the 'Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Law Society Legislation Guides'.
Whilst a barrister, Thornton became an Associate Governor at Brookfield Primary School in 2009 to get involved with the local community and develop her interest in education.
. They met in 2002, and live together in North London. The couple were engaged in March 2010, and married at Langar Hall near Nottingham on 27 May 2011. They have two sons – Daniel Miliband, born 2009, and Samuel Miliband, born 2010.
Thornton is a close friend of Frances Osborne
, the wife of current Chancellor of the Exchequer
George Osborne
, whom she met at university and travelled with across America with.
In June 2005, Thornton and a friend climbed the 13,671ft Mount Toubkal in Morocco.
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
, and the wife of Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband
Edward Samuel Miliband is a British Labour Party politician, currently the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition...
, the current Leader of the Labour Party. She is a former child actress who appeared in Dramarama
Dramarama (TV series)
Dramarama is the name of a British children's' anthology series broadcast on ITV between 1983 and 1989. It tended to feature drama of a science fiction or supernatural bent. The programme was administered by Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle, who had a track-record for organising cross-franchise...
and Hardwicke House
Hardwicke House
Hardwicke House was a 1987 seven-episode sitcom produced by Central Independent Television for the ITV network. It was so negatively received that only the first two episodes were transmitted.-Plot and episode titles :...
.
Early life and education
Thornton was born in NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
and educated at West Bridgford School
West Bridgford School
The West Bridgford School & Specialist Technology Academy is a co-educational Comprehensive school in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England,-About the school:* It used to be a grammar school.* The school operates a two week timetable system....
.
Thornton was a member of the Central Junior Television Workshop
Central Junior Television Workshop
The Central Junior Television Workshop is a British organization that offers free training for young people in performance skills for television, film, radio and theatre...
at the age of 16. In 1987 Thornton starred as Erica, a rebellious schoolgirl, in the hour-long pilot episode "The Visit" of Hardwicke House
Hardwicke House
Hardwicke House was a 1987 seven-episode sitcom produced by Central Independent Television for the ITV network. It was so negatively received that only the first two episodes were transmitted.-Plot and episode titles :...
, a controversial ITV sitcom that was later pulled from the schedules after only two episodes had been transmitted following a backlash over its content. In 1988, Thornton starred as Chrissie in an episode of the long-running children's programme Dramarama titled "Snap Decision", which was aired in January 1989.
Thornton read Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at Robinson College, Cambridge
Robinson College, Cambridge
Robinson College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.Robinson is the newest of the Cambridge colleges, and is unique in being the only one to have been intended, from its inception, for both undergraduate and graduate students of either sex.- History :The college was founded...
, graduating with a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in 1992. She was called to the Bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1994.
Career
After completing her studies Thornton decided to specialise in environmental law. A former Allen and Overy environmental barrister, she is now at 39 Essex Street39 Essex Street
Thirty Nine Essex Street is a long established barristers’ set of 30 Queen’s Counsel and 62 juniors. They offer substantial expertise in commercial, common, construction, costs, environmental and planning, public and regulatory and disciplinary law...
The 2010 edition of Legal 500, the lawyers’ directory, simply called her “first class”.
She was appointed as an adviser to the British Government
Government of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Government is the central government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects all the remaining Ministers...
on biotechnology and the environment in 2000, a role she had until 2005 and was later on the Attorney General's C Panel. She has also served for the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
, and in 2009 was shortlisted for Chambers and Partners Environmental and Planning Junior of the Year.
Thornton has also worked on several law related publications. Among them, she is the general editor of Sweet and Maxwell's 'Encyclopedia of Environmental Law', and a co-author of Sweet and Maxwell's textbook series on environmental law. She also co-authored of the 'Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Law Society Legislation Guides'.
Whilst a barrister, Thornton became an Associate Governor at Brookfield Primary School in 2009 to get involved with the local community and develop her interest in education.
Personal life
Thornton's husband is the Labour party leader Ed MilibandEd Miliband
Edward Samuel Miliband is a British Labour Party politician, currently the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition...
. They met in 2002, and live together in North London. The couple were engaged in March 2010, and married at Langar Hall near Nottingham on 27 May 2011. They have two sons – Daniel Miliband, born 2009, and Samuel Miliband, born 2010.
Thornton is a close friend of Frances Osborne
Frances Osborne
Frances Osborne is a British author. She is the eldest daughter of former and current Conservative Cabinet Minister David Howell, Baron Howell of Guildford and Cary Davina Wallace....
, the wife of current Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
George Osborne
George Osborne
George Gideon Oliver Osborne, MP is a British Conservative politician. He is the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, a role to which he was appointed in May 2010, and has been the Member of Parliament for Tatton since 2001.Osborne is part of the old Anglo-Irish aristocracy, known in...
, whom she met at university and travelled with across America with.
In June 2005, Thornton and a friend climbed the 13,671ft Mount Toubkal in Morocco.