Judge Who Ended UK Anti-Piracy Lawyer’s Scheme Appointed to High Court

At the turn of the decade UK anti-piracy lawfirm ACS:Law were making dozens of headlines as they tried to extract cash settlements from alleged BitTorrent users. The firm did in fact succeed in bringing in many hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash, but due to their greed and incompetence their scheme began to fall apart.

While many groups and individuals contributed to the eventual downfall of ACS:Law and its infamous owner Andrew Crossley, it was Judge Colin Birss QC who had the pleasure of seeing the outfit take its dying breaths in a final series of embarrassing court hearings.

In 2011, as Crossley was collecting the Internet Services Providers’ Association’s award for Villain of the Year, Judge Birss was nominated as Hero of the Year for his stand against ACS:Law. He didn’t win, but today he has an even greater accolade.

“The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of His Honour Judge Colin Ian Birss, Q.C., to be a Justice of the High Court with effect from 13 May 2013 on the elevation of Mr. Justice Briggs to the Court of Appeal,” reports the Ministry of Justice.

Congratulations Judge Birss, well deserved.