Taxpayers are funding a £2.5 million expenditure on chefs to prepare meals for High Court judges residing in taxpayer-funded lodgings outside London, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) contract records. The arrangement covers catering services at various country houses and apartments where judges stay while hearing cases on circuit.

Between 2024 and 2027, three separate contracts worth £800,000 to the Grafters Group, £800,000 to Rising Star Catering, and £900,000 to Chefs Jobs UK have been awarded to provide professional chefs and hospitality staff. The contracts collectively amount to an average monthly cost of approximately £70,000.

Judges’ lodgings are secure residences intended to provide safety and privacy during trials, especially in cases involving organized crime and terrorism. The accommodations also aim to prevent judges from encountering barristers, witnesses, or defendants in public settings such as hotel bars or corridors. These lodgings allow judges to live on-site for extended periods and accommodate partners staying with them.

Menus prepared by the contracted chefs are tailored to individual dietary preferences, allergies, religious requirements, and special diets of the judges. On ordinary weeknights, meals typically consist of two to three courses, with dinner parties requiring four-course menus offering at least four options per course. The contracts explicitly prohibit the use of ready meals, mandating the use of fresh ingredients. A performance standard is enforced to ensure meals meet the judges' expectations, with the potential removal of chefs failing to comply.

Critics have raised concerns about the cost of providing fine dining services to judges amid broader justice system challenges. Some point to ongoing issues such as prison overcrowding and debates over jury trials as contrasting priorities for government spending. Darwin Friend of the TaxPayers’ Alliance expressed discontent, stating taxpayers are likely to be upset over the provision of gourmet meals for judges at a time when many face financial difficulties.

The Ministry of Justice defended the catering arrangements, emphasizing the importance of secure accommodation with on-site meal provision. A spokesperson noted that High Court judges oversee the most serious and complex cases, often spanning several months, and require an environment that supports sustained confidentiality and focus on legal work.