Profile: Ann Goddard QC

Judge Ann Goddard has been a circuit judge since 1993

Ann Goddard QC has been one of the most popular and respected women at London's Old Bailey for a number of years - both on the bench and earlier as a tough criminal barrister.

Educated at Grey Coat Hospital school, Westminster, Birmingham University and Newnham College, Cambridge, she was quickly recognised for her analytical legal mind.

The daughter of a former senior police officer, she was called to the Bar in 1960 and was made a Recorder 19 years later.

She has been a circuit judge since 1993.

Rape controversy

Judge Goddard was at the centre of a controversy in 1996 when she allowed a rapist to cross-examine his victim for six days.

The high-profile case prompted a debate that led to a change in the law last year to prevent alleged rapists from putting their accusers through such an ordeal.

Regarded as one of the finest legal brains on the bench, Judge Goddard, who celebrates her 65th birthday this month, is among senior Old Bailey judges tipped to succeed the Common Serjeant of London, Neil Denison, when he retires this year.