Thornton was born in Manchester to Labour-voting professionals,[1] Margaret and Stewart Thornton.[1][6] Her mother was born in Wales, and her orthopaedic surgeon grandfather, who was based in Ammanford, was a speaker on social affairs.[7] The family moved to Nottingham, where Justine was educated at West Bridgford School.[8]
As a pupil at West Bridgford Comprehensive School, she appeared to be heading for an acting career. Thornton was a member of the Central Junior Television Workshop at the age of 16.[9] In 1987 she starred as Erica, a rebellious schoolgirl, in "The Visit", the hour-long opening episode of Hardwicke House, an ITV sitcom that was later pulled from the schedules after only two episodes had been transmitted following a backlash over its content.[10]
In 1988, she appeared as "Chrissie" in an episode of the long-running children's programme Dramarama titled "Snap Decision", which was aired in January 1989.[11]
Thornton practised in Environmental Law, latterly at 39 Essex Chambers, before she was appointed a judge.[12] The 2010 edition of Legal 500, the lawyers' directory described her as "first class".[13]
She was appointed an Advisor to the British Government on Biotechnology and the Environment under New Labour in 2000, a role she held until 2005 and was later on the Attorney-General's C Panel. She was later Chairwoman of SERA, Labour's Environment campaign. She has also acted on behalf of the Welsh Assembly, and in 2009 was shortlisted for Chambers and Partners "Environmental and Planning Junior of the Year".[5]
Thornton has worked on several law-related publications, as general editor of Sweet and Maxwell's Encyclopedia of Environmental Law, and a co-author of Sweet and Maxwell's textbook on Environmental law. She also co-authored the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Law Society Legislation Guides.[5]
She became an Associate Governor of Brookfield Primary School in 2009.[14]
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