Simonds was
called to the bar in 1906, and appointed a
King's Counsel in 1924. He was elected a Bencher of
Lincoln's Inn in 1929 and was Treasurer from 1951. He served as a Judge of the Chancery Division of the
High Court of Justice between 1937, when he was knighted, and 1944. In the latter year he was appointed a
Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, sworn of the
Privy Council and created a life peer as
Baron Simonds, of Sparsholt in the County of Southampton, Simonds remained a Law Lord until 1951, when
Winston Churchill appointed him
Lord Chancellor. He was holder of the office at the time of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, adding a major ceremonial role to his judicial one. In June 1952 he was made a hereditary peer as
Baron Simonds, of Sparsholt in the County of Southampton, being introduced to the House of Lords again on 25th of that month. This was his title until 1954, when he was created
Viscount Simonds, of Sparsholt in the County of Southampton, and customarily re-introduced to the House of Lords with his higher title on 3rd November. He again served as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary from 1954 to 1962. He was also High Steward of
Oxford University from 1954 to 1967, and High Steward of the City of
Winchester from 1951. ==Family==