John Pratt (judge)

John Pratt (born c. 1657, died 1725) was an English judge and Member of Parliament.

Pratt was born into a legal family; his father was a barrister. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford and later admitted to the Inner Temple, becoming a barrister in 1682.

He served as a Member of Parliament for Midhurst from 1701 to 1702 and for Hindon from 1708 to 1710.

Pratt's legal career progressed through various appointments. He served as a Serjeant-at-Law and was appointed a puisne judge of the Court of Queen's Bench in 1714. He was promoted to Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1718, a position he held until his death in 1725. During his tenure as Lord Chief Justice, he presided over notable cases, including those relating to libel and sedition. His judgments reflected a commitment to the rule of law and the rights of individuals.