Sir James Lawrence Munby (born 27 July 1948) is a retired English judge who was President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales.

[2] Munby was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1971 and practised as a barrister at New Square Chambers.

Munby was appointed as Chairman of the Law Commission on 1 August 2009, replacing Lord Justice Etherton.

The Earl's barrister Nicholas Mostyn advised his client that the case could be heard in private, which Munby rejected.

[6] Munby instituted procedural changes which from January 2016 led to hearings in the Court of Protection being open to the public, save where a judge decides otherwise.