| Honorific-Prefix: | The Honourable |
| Mr Justice MacDonald | |
| Office: | Justice of the High Court |
| Term Start: | 2 June 2015 |
| Birth Date: | 22 February 1970 |
| Birthname: | Alistair William Orchard MacDonald |
| Nationality: | British |
| Spouse: | Penelope MacDonald |
| Residence: | Birmingham |
| Alma Mater: | University of Nottingham City University |
| Occupation: | Judge Barrister Queen's Counsel |
Sir Alistair William Orchard MacDonald (born 22 February 1970),[1] styled The Hon. Mr Justice MacDonald, has been a judge in the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales since 2 June 2015. As a barrister he specialised in child protection.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
MacDonald received a BA in Archaeology from the University of Nottingham and worked as an archaeologist for three years, without obtaining grant funding for an offered Ph.D. position. He then obtained a Diploma in Law from City University.[7]
MacDonald was called to the bar in 1995 and undertook pupillage at Priory Chambers, 2 Fountain Court. In 2008 he won Barrister of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards,[8] and later that year appeared on the BBC television series Barristers.[9]
He became a Recorder in 2009, and QC in 2011.[10] He practised in family law, particularly the rights of children.[2] He was co-chairman of the Association of Lawyers for Children, speaking out against reductions in legal aid[11] [12] increases in court fees for local authorities,[13] and a reduction of family law barrister fees.[14] He is on the board of the journal Child and Family Law Quarterly.[2]
He was made a Knight Bachelor on 10 November 2015.
The case of Alta Fixsler, a two year old Haredi girl from Manchester, England who was placed on a ventilator after a severe brain injury came before MacDonald. The case drew international attention after MacDonald ruled on May 21, 2021 that her life support be withdrawn.[15]
New Law Journal said "This book is the reference work for the family advocate who wishes to use the CRC on behalf of the children they represent."[16]