Lord Alex Carlile was born in 1948. He was brought up in north Wales and Lancashire, and was created a Life Peer in 1999.
He was called to the Bar by Grays Inn in 1970 and became a QC in 1984. It was 1986 when he first became a Recorder of the Crown Court, and 1996 when he became a Deputy High Court Judge and Honorary Recorder of the City of Hereford. His Parliamentary career began when he was elected Liberal MP for Montgomery from 1983 to 1988, and Liberal Democrat MP from 1988 to 1997. He was Commons spokesman on many subjects at various times.
From 1980 to 1982, Alex was Chairman of the Welsh Liberal Party; Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats from 1992 to 1997 and President of Liberal Democrats Wales from 1997 to 1999. In the autumn of 2001, Alex was appointed Independent Reviewer of terrorism legislation.
Outside Parliament, Alex Carlile was a Lay Member of the General Medical Council from 1989 to 1999. He is a Non-Executive Director of Wynnstay Group plc, and a Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. He writes articles, if asked, broadcasts, and is involved in several charities from NACRO to the White Ensign Association. He has a special interest in mental health.
