Former top British family judge kills himself after dementia diagnosis

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Nicholas Wall, formerly Britain’s most senior family law judge, has killed himself after being diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, his family has said. "Sir Nicholas took his own life having suffered for several years from a rare neurological disease called fronto-temporal lobe dementia that had only recently been diagnosed. The Family Law Bar Association described Sir Nicholas as “a compassionate judge who thought and cared deeply about the outcome of his cases”. Sir James Munby, his successor as President of the Family Division, said: "On and off the Bench and to the wide admiration of those who practise in family law, Sir Nicholas often spoke with passion, and in plain language, about the importance of family life, the good practice of family law, and the proper administration and resourcing of family justice.